Ep 11. Breaking Away

In Disappeared season 9 episode 11, titled "Breaking Away," the show explores the disappearance of 34-year-old mother of two, Carie Zapletal. Carie was last seen at her home in Fort Collins, Colorado, on the morning of October 11, 2016. Her husband, Matt, left for work around 6:30 a.m., and Carie was still in bed when he left. Later that morning, she spoke with her sister, Jennifer, on the phone and made plans to meet up for lunch. However, Carie never showed up for their lunch plans, and Jennifer became increasingly worried when she couldn't get in touch with her sister.

The show interviews Carie's friends and family, who describe her as a devoted mother who was loved by everyone that knew her. They also reveal that Carie had a complicated relationship with her husband, Matt. Although they had been married for 15 years, their marriage had been rocky at times, and they were currently going through a trial separation. However, Carie had expressed her desire to work on their marriage, and Matt seemed willing to give it another try.

As the investigation into Carie's disappearance begins, the police search her house and find a handwritten note from Carie, which reads, "Matt, I can't keep living like this." This note raises suspicions about the involvement of Carie's husband in her disappearance. However, when Matt is questioned by the police, he claims to have no knowledge of her whereabouts and insists that he had nothing to do with her disappearance.

The show explores the various theories surrounding Carie's disappearance, including the possibility that she left on her own accord and started a new life. However, Carie's loved ones insist that this is unlikely, as Carie was a devoted mother who would never abandon her children. Other theories point to the possibility that Carie was the victim of foul play. Her friends and family recount the numerous leads that were followed up on, including possible sightings of Carie in a neighboring state and a potential connection to a sex trafficking ring.

Throughout the episode, the show highlights the tireless efforts of Carie's loved ones to locate her and bring her home. They organize search parties, distribute flyers, and raise awareness about her disappearance through social media. As the investigation continues, the show interviews experts in the field of missing persons, who provide insight into the challenges that law enforcement and families face in cases like these.

In the end, the show does not provide a definitive conclusion to Carie's disappearance. However, it shines a spotlight on the trauma that families go through when a loved one goes missing and the importance of continuing to search for answers, even when the trail seems to have gone cold.

Overall, Disappeared season 9 episode 11, "Breaking Away," is a thought-provoking and emotional exploration of the disappearance of Carie Zapletal. The show does an excellent job of balancing interviews with Carie's friends and family with the ongoing investigation, and it sheds light on the complexities involved in cases like these.