The Christmas Mystery
Buried Bones - a historical true crime podcast with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes
Deep Dive
Why did George Sadu and his family face tension in their West Virginia community during the 1940s?
George Sadu faced tension because he was outspoken against Mussolini, which was a controversial stance in a predominantly Italian-American community where many had reverence for Mussolini.
What unusual event occurred shortly before the fire that could have indicated foul play?
A man who showed up looking for work pointed out two fuse boxes outside George's house, claiming they could cause a fire. This was unusual because a utility company had recently checked the wiring and found it to be in good condition.
Why did the fire spread so quickly through the Sadu house on Christmas Eve?
The fire spread quickly due to the possible use of an accelerant, such as gasoline from a 55-gallon drum found in the basement, and the structure's wooden materials. Arson investigators might have found multiple points of origin, indicating a deliberately set fire.
Why did the fire chief's delayed response raise suspicions?
The fire chief, F.J. Morris, delayed the response for seven hours, claiming he couldn't drive the fire truck himself and had to wait for crew members. This delay, especially during a critical time, was suspicious and raised questions about the department's staffing and response protocols.
What evidence suggests that the missing children might not have been in the house when the fire started?
The absence of any remains, including teeth, and the discovery of a dark green hard rubber object that looked like a military-style napalm pineapple bomb, which was not found in earlier searches, led to theories that the children might have been abducted or removed before the fire.
Why did the Smithsonian's report on the human vertebrae found in 1949 raise more questions than answers?
The Smithsonian experts determined that the vertebrae belonged to a late teenage boy who was not exposed to the fire. This contradicted earlier assumptions and raised questions about the thoroughness of the initial search and the possibility of contamination or misinterpretation of evidence.
What role did the local insurance salesman play in the Sadu family fire mystery?
The insurance salesman had previously threatened George, saying his house would burn down and his children would be destroyed due to George's comments about Mussolini. The salesman was later found to be a member of the coroner's jury that declared the fire an accident, which added to the suspicion of a small-town cover-up.
Why did the Sadu family bulldoze the property four days after the fire?
The bulldozing of the property four days after the fire was highly unusual and raised questions about whether it was an attempt to destroy evidence or a reaction to extreme distress and paranoia. The quick action hindered further investigation and preservation of the crime scene.
What theories have emerged about the fate of the five missing children?
Two main theories emerged: the children either died in the fire and their remains were completely incinerated, or they were abducted before the fire. Some witnesses claimed to see the children in a car passing by during the fire, and others reported sightings of them in the weeks following the incident.
Shownotes Transcript