Ep 9. A Family's Curse

In Disappeared season 3 episode 9, entitled "A Family's Curse," the show looks at the tragic disappearance of a young woman named Lisa Stebic. Lisa, a mother of two, vanished without a trace from her suburban Chicago home in 2007. As the investigation into her disappearance unfolds, authorities begin to uncover a history of domestic violence and abuse within Lisa's marriage.

The episode begins with a brief overview of Lisa's life leading up to her disappearance. Friends and family describe her as a devoted mother and a hardworking nurse. Her marriage to Craig Stebic was rocky, however, and Lisa had confided in friends about Craig's abusive behavior. Despite this, the couple remained together and even purchased a new home in the months leading up to Lisa's disappearance.

On April 30, 2007, Lisa and Craig got into an argument about their upcoming divorce. Craig maintains that Lisa left their home that day, leaving her car parked in the garage and taking nothing with her. Lisa's family, however, believes that something more sinister happened. When Lisa failed to show up at work the next day, her family reported her missing.

The initial investigation into Lisa's disappearance turned up few leads. Craig was named a person of interest early on, but he maintained his innocence and refused to speak to the media. Lisa's family and friends organized search parties and held vigils, but Lisa remained missing.

As the days turned into weeks and then months, Craig's behavior became increasingly suspicious. He stopped cooperating with police and refused to take a polygraph test. Investigators eventually obtained a search warrant for the Stebic home, hoping to uncover evidence that would lead them to Lisa. They found nothing.

As the years passed, the case grew cold. Lisa's family continued to search for her, but they were no closer to finding her than they had been on the day she disappeared. Then, in 2013, a possible break in the case emerged.

A former tenant of the Stebic home came forward with new information about the case. The tenant claimed to have seen a large, plastic tote in the garage around the time of Lisa's disappearance. The tenant also alleged that Craig had asked him to help him dispose of the tote. Investigators searched the landfill where the tenant claimed the tote was dumped, but they found nothing.

Despite this new information, the case remains unsolved. Lisa's family continues to hold out hope that she will be found, but they fear that her fate may be tied to a tragic family curse. Lisa's mother and sister both died under mysterious circumstances, and her father committed suicide. Some family members believe that Lisa's disappearance may be linked to this pattern of tragedy and violence.

In "A Family's Curse," Disappeared offers a compelling look at a case that has captivated the public's attention for over a decade. The episode offers insights into Lisa's life and marriage, as well as the tireless efforts of investigators and volunteers to find her. It also raises thought-provoking questions about the possibility of cursed families and the impact of domestic violence on victims and their loved ones.