Ep 98. Lost and Found

In Dateline season 19 episode 98, titled "Lost and Found," viewers are taken on a gripping journey of true crime investigation. The episode centers around a missing person's case, where a young woman named Toni Lee Sharpless disappears without a trace. Toni's loved ones are left to grapple with the heart-wrenching uncertainty of whether or not she will ever be found.

The episode begins with interviews from Toni's friends and family, who share their memories of her and express their deep concern for her well-being. As the investigation unfolds, it is revealed that Toni, a single mother, had been out with friends on the night of her disappearance. Her friends claimed that they dropped her off at her car around 3 am, but when Toni's mother went to her home, she discovered that her daughter was not there.

Investigators quickly launched an extensive search for Toni, combing through nearby wooded areas and enlisting the help of search dogs and helicopters. Despite their best efforts, however, they were unable to uncover any clues that would lead them to Toni's whereabouts.

As the days turned into weeks and then months, Toni's case went cold. But her family and friends never gave up hope, and they continued to search for her on their own. Then, suddenly, a breakthrough occurred when Toni's car was discovered abandoned on a remote road. The car appeared to have been intentionally crashed, and there were signs that Toni had been in the vehicle, but there was still no sign of the missing woman herself.

As the Dateline team delves deeper into the case, they uncover a number of shocking revelations. They learn that Toni had been involved in a tumultuous romantic relationship with a man named Brandon Barger, who had a history of violence and had recently been released from prison. Brandon had also been with Toni and her friends on the night that she went missing.

The investigation takes a dramatic turn when the Dateline team interviews Brandon Barger himself. Barger admits to being with Toni on the night of her disappearance, but he denies having anything to do with her disappearance. The team digs deeper into Barger's story, uncovering inconsistencies and lies in his alibi.

The tension builds as the Dateline team pieces together the clues and confronts Barger with the evidence. Will they be able to solve the mystery of Toni Lee Sharpless' disappearance? Will her family finally be able to find closure and know what happened to her?

"Lost and Found" is a gripping and emotional episode of Dateline, full of twists and turns that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Through interviews with family members, law enforcement, and witnesses, the episode paints a vivid picture of a missing person's case that captivated a community. Don't miss this riveting true crime story that will leave you wondering how well you really know the people in your life.