Local podcast to bring attention to the 19-year-old mystery of two missing men from Collier County

Nineteen years in the past on January 12, Terrance Williams was positioned into the again of a Collier County Sheriff deputy car.  He hasn’t been seen since.

Three months prior to Williams’ disappearance, in a seemingly disturbing coincidence, Felipe Santos was additionally final seen in the again of the identical patrol automobile, that of former Sheriff Deputy Steven Calkins.

“The first man was Felipe Santos. He was an undocumented immigrant who lived in Immokalee at the time, and he disappeared in October 2003,” Janine Zeitlin, investigative reporter for The Naples Daily News and The News-Press, mentioned. “And the second man was Terrence Williams (a black man.) He was working at a Pizza Hut in Bonita Springs at the time. He disappeared January 12, 2004. There have been no confirmed sightings of Felipe Santos or Terrence Williams since they were last seen in the patrol car of Steven Calkins.”

Zeitlin has been masking this story since 2005. She heard about the missing men from the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. She was advised that no native newspapers had been masking the mysterious disappearances. At the time, she labored for the Naples Daily News, now half of USA Today Network-Florida.

“And so I reached out to Terrance and Williams’s mother, had a conversation with her,” mentioned Zeitlin. “And that is what spurred my interest. Then I start talking to various other people, including the former Collier County Sheriff’s deputy Steven Calkins, who also happened to be from my hometown in Ottawa, Il. My interview with him was the last time, as far as I can tell, that he talked to a reporter.”

Since then, the mystery has garnered some nationwide attention by way of film star Tyler Perry.

“He’s put a lot of effort and heart into getting this story out there and getting national media attention for these cases, I believe it was in around about a decade ago,” mentioned Zeitlin. “He learned of the cases on a cable show. He shared part of one of my old stories about the cases on his Facebook page. He developed a relationship with Terrrance Williams’s mother, Marcia Williams, and has advocated for her. He’s offered a reward for any sort of tips that could lead to a resolution in these cases. And he’s come to Naples a few times to hold press conferences to raise awareness.”

Perry has additionally produced a tv present, Never Seen Again, on Paramount Plus, that features the tales of the two missing men. Even with the media protection, the lack of outcomes frustrates Zeitlin.

“You know, it’s a case that’s just haunted me because of the lack of resolution and the extreme injustice for these men and their families. You know, their bodies have never been found. No one has been arrested or charged in the disappearances, including…”she paused. “You know, Steven Calkins was never arrested or charged in the disappearances and he denied having anything to do with the disappearances. But at the same time, when he was questioned about the disappearance of Terrance Williams, he gave inconsistent statements which led to his firing by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.”

The mystery haunted two different co-workers, as nicely, which lead to a brand new mission.

“In 2019, my colleagues and I, Ryan Mills and Melanie Payne, started talking about doing a podcast.” But it isn’t been clean going. Mills and Payne left for various jobs. Enter the pandemic and the current hurricane. “It’s something I’ve just been chipping away at and involved other people in our newsroom, trying to get this project, which is really important to me, completed,” mentioned Zeitlin.

The podcast is named “The Last Ride.” WGCU is a accomplice in the audio manufacturing of the podcast which will likely be distributed by way of the NPR Network. The investigation and the story, nevertheless, come from Zeitlin and her staff’s intensive analysis.

“It’s an 8-part investigative podcast that takes a really deep look into these disappearances, into the background of the former Collier County Sheriff’s Deputy Steven Calkins. I went to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where Terrence Williams was from to interview his stepfather. I’ve spoken to Terrance’s mother,’ said Zeitlin. “We went to Iowa the place Steven Calkins lives to attempt to speak to him, as nicely. We’ve reviewed all the public information to attempt to put collectively the most complete take a look at this case that we’re succesful of offering.”

The podcast is only a part of Zeitlin’s dogged determination to find a resolution, if not the men themselves.

“Personally, I need everybody in Southwest Florida and past to bear in mind of these circumstances,” she said. “And as a result of there’s gotta be a approach to resolve them. There’s gotta be some variety of decision.”

And whereas, Tyler Perry and Terrence Williams’ mom Marcia are pushing for further investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, Zeitlin hopes that her podcast may also make a distinction.

“My hope is that the podcast additionally increase consciousness, and , push for a more in-depth look, extra investigation into these circumstances as a result of these households and these men deserve some kind of justice.”

Tips about Felipe Santos or Terrance Williams needs to be directed to Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS (8477).

Read the 2018 article by Janine Zeitlin for extra particulars about the circumstances surrounding the disappearances.

The Last Ride Podcast, is a manufacturing of the USA Today Network-Florida with WGCU Public Media and will likely be distributed by the NPR Network in March 2023.

WGCU is your trusted supply for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service, and your help is extra important than ever. Keep public media sturdy and donate now. Thank you.