A Private Matter, Episode 5

There's only one place left to go for answers about Jay's disappearance: his wife, Patty. Bear Brook is a production of the ⁠Document⁠ team at New Hampshire Public Radio. Click here to support the journalism behind Bear Brook. If you have tips or more information, email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than three years after Jay's last known sighting, some in the family suspect foul play. Police explain why they haven't charged Patty with a crime. Then, a strange phone call leads to a new search. Could Jay still be found? The science of search and rescue offers some clues. To hear this season of Bear Brook ad-free, ⁠click here to become a member of our Patreon.⁠ Bear Brook is a production of the ⁠Document⁠ team at New Hampshire Public Radio. If you have tips or more information, email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A volunteer sleuth digs into Jay's case and reveals a surprising connection to a major figure in the world of astrology, a "Spiritual Sparkplug" named Isabel Hickey. To hear this season of Bear Brook ad-free, ⁠click here to become a member of our Patreon.⁠ Bear Brook is a production of the ⁠Document⁠ team at New Hampshire Public Radio. If you have tips or more information, email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jay's daughter explains how she finally realized her father was missing and shares another side to Patty most people don't know. Police make a new discovery about the timing of Jay's disappearance. To hear this season of Bear Brook ad-free, ⁠click here to become a member of our Patreon.⁠ Bear Brook is a production of the ⁠Document⁠ team at New Hampshire Public Radio. If you have tips or more information, email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Christmas tree farmer with dementia named Jay Hickey vanishes from his small town in rural New Hampshire. Jay's wife Patty never reports him missing. A tipster claims "a lot of strangeness is starting to emerge" – and they're right. To hear this season of Bear Brook ad-free, click here to become a member of our Patreon. Bear Brook is a production of the Document team at New Hampshire Public Radio. If you have tips or more information, email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Christmas tree farmer with dementia disappears. His wife never reports him missing. Can anyone find out why? A Private Matter is the third season of Bear Brook, the critically-acclaimed true crime podcast from New Hampshire Public Radio hosted by Jason Moon. New episodes starting October 21, 2026. Listen to Bear Brook ad-free and support our journalism at patreon.com/BearBrook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investigators make a discovery that brings the case of the Bear Brook murders to a close after 40 years – and reveals a new mystery. Click here to check out more podcast series from NHPR's Document team. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Photos, transcripts, and more at ⁠bearbrookpodcast.com⁠. Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder case?⁠ ⁠Email us⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The state of New Hampshire has made a sudden about-face: Prosecutors have now agreed to DNA test old evidence in Jason Carroll’s case. It’s the biggest development in the case in 35 years – and one step closer to possibly learning who killed Sharon Johnson. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Photos, transcripts, and more at ⁠bearbrookpodcast.com⁠. To hear more stories by Jason Moon and NHPR's Document team, ⁠click here⁠. Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder case?⁠ ⁠Email us⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The true crime media spotlight shines on Jason Carroll. Then, a chance encounter leads to a surprising discovery that changes the course of his case. For more on the case and to see selected data on exonerations, visit bearbrookpodcast.com. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder case?⁠ ⁠Email us⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How could someone possibly confess to murder if they didn’t do it? A modern understanding of confessions sheds new light on Jason Carroll’s case. For more on the case and to see selected data on exonerations, visit bearbrookpodcast.com. Bear Brook is made by NHPR, a public radio station. Recent funding cuts have made your support even more critical to what we do. ⁠Click here to make a donation.⁠ Thank you. Do you have information about the Bear Brook murders or the Sharon Johnson murder case?⁠ ⁠Email us⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices