Nightmare After Christmas: The Oldest Unsolved Kidnapping in Tacoma History

PNW Haunts & Homicides

In this episode we’ll unravel the haunting events that took place within the walls of an upscale home, belonging to a prominent family in the community in the 1930s. It was none other than the Mattson family home, set against the backdrop of the affluent Point Defiance Park District in Tacoma, Washington. Sound familiar? You might remember an eerily similar case - the kidnapping & ransom of George Weyerhaeuser. On a cold winter night just days after Christmas, what started as a peaceful evening with popcorn and root beer quickly turned into a nightmare as the youngest Mattson child was abducted at gunpoint from his own living room, sparking the oldest unsolved kidnapping case in Tacoma's history.
Despite the FBI’s best efforts, the mysterious kidnapper vanished without a trace, but not without leaving a bizarre ransom note behind. Though the family complied with the kidnapper's demands, Charles was never returned. Days of frantic searching and police efforts led to a tragic discovery: Charles Mattson's lifeless body was found over a week later in a snow-covered field near Everett, Washington, mere miles from his home.
We explore the details of that fateful night, the frantic search that ensued, and the eventual heartbreaking discovery that would leave a community shattered and a case unsolved to this day. Join us as we puzzle out the complexities of the investigation, the media frenzy that hindered the case, and the lasting impact this horrific crime had on the Mattson family and the broader Tacoma community. Through historical accounts and meticulous research, we aim to bring to light the untold details of a case that has left generations questioning who was responsible for this heinous act.
This week we introduced you to our friend Jaimie Beebe from the podcast The Last Trip! A true crime podcast exclusively investigating missing and murdered victims that were living their best lives… on vacation.
✨👻 Don't miss us at True Crime Fest Northwest 8/30 - 9/1! Use Promo Code HAUNTS10 for 10% off your ticket! 👻✨
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