Ep 7. The Puzzling Disappearance of Walter Collins

In episode 7 of season 5 of BuzzFeed Unsolved: True Crime, titled "The Puzzling Disappearance of Walter Collins," the hosts Ryan and Shane delve into a case that took place in Los Angeles in the late 1920s. The case of Walter Collins is notorious both for the circumstances surrounding his disappearance as well as the shocking aftermath that followed.

Walter Collins was a 9-year-old boy who vanished without a trace in 1928, leaving his mother Christine determined to find him. The investigation turned up a lead in the form of a young boy found in Illinois who was claiming to be Walter. Despite this boy's obvious differences in appearance and behavior, the authorities decided to reunite him with Christine in a bid to quell the public outrage and bad publicity surrounding the case.

However, Christine was quick to state that the boy was not Walter, leading to a cover-up by the police department who insisted that her son had indeed been found. This ultimately led to Christine being institutionalized for insisting that the boy was an impostor, which in turn resulted in a shocking exposé of corruption within the Los Angeles Police Department.

Ryan and Shane explore the various theories surrounding Walter's disappearance, including the possibility of his being kidnapped for ransom or the potential involvement of a notorious kidnapping ring at the time. They also examine the bizarre twist of fate that led to the discovery of the boy in Illinois, and the disastrous consequences that unfolded as a result.

Throughout the episode, Ryan and Shane provide their trademark humorous and skeptical commentary, as well as their usual in-depth research and analysis. They speak to experts and historians to provide context and insight into the case, while also offering their own interpretations and opinions.

"The Puzzling Disappearance of Walter Collins" is a gripping and tragic tale that exemplifies the ways in which an investigation can take unexpected turns, and how cases can have far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate search for the truth. Ryan and Shane's investigation is comprehensive and thought-provoking, and will leave viewers with a renewed appreciation for the complexities of true crime and the importance of seeking justice.