Alabama Mother and Son Vanish After Discovering Husband's Secret Life as Male Escort
A chilling mystery has unfolded in Alabama, where Susan Osborne and her 15-year-old son Evan vanished without a trace over Memorial Day weekend in 2025. Family members grew concerned when Susan, who typically maintained regular contact with loved ones, suddenly stopped responding to texts and calls. The silence was particularly alarming to Susan's mother Linda and her best friend Holly, as this behavior was completely out of character for the devoted mother.
When authorities finally investigated the disappearance two months later, they found Susan's husband Jerry Osborne still living in the family home, which had undergone extensive and seemingly unnecessary renovations. Jerry claimed Susan had left him for another man, taking Evan with her. However, investigators noted suspicious circumstances, including Jerry's thorough cleaning of the residence and reports from neighbors about frequent backyard fires where furniture was allegedly burned. These troubling details have led detectives to suspect foul play rather than a voluntary departure.
Key Takeaways
Susan Osborne and her teenage son Evan disappeared on Memorial Day weekend, with no communication to family members who regularly stayed in touch with them.
Susan's husband Jerry claimed she left voluntarily with another man, but had extensively remodeled and cleaned their home in the two months following their disappearance.
Investigators found Jerry's explanation suspicious, noting his inability to provide details about Susan's alleged new relationship and the unexplained burning of household items in the backyard.
The Vanishing Over Holiday Weekend
On Memorial Day 2025, Susan Osborne and her 15-year-old son Evan disappeared without a trace, leaving family members increasingly concerned as days without contact turned into weeks. The mother and son from Alabama seemed to vanish suddenly, with their absence only becoming officially recognized as suspicious after an alarming two-month gap in communication.
Susan had recently found happiness with Air Force veteran Jerry Osborne, whom she married after her divorce from Evan's father. Jerry appeared to be devoted to his new family, often buying Susan nice clothes and providing a comfortable home environment. Susan even left her job to focus on family life, suggesting everything was normal before their disappearance.
Reporting to Law Enforcement
Susan's mother Linda became increasingly worried when Susan stopped responding to texts and calls following a Mother's Day visit. Despite regularly staying in touch, Susan's communication suddenly ceased completely.
Linda tried multiple approaches to reach her daughter:
Sent numerous text messages
Made repeated phone calls
Even mailed a letter, which returned marked "not deliverable"
After two months of silence, Linda finally contacted the Elmore County Sheriff's Department. When deputies arrived at the Osborne residence, they immediately noticed something unusual - Susan's car was still in the driveway despite her alleged departure.
Examining Jerry Osborne's Activities
When questioned by authorities, Jerry Osborne provided a surprising explanation. He claimed Susan had voluntarily left him on Memorial Day weekend with another man, returning briefly the next day to collect furniture and personal belongings.
Deputies found Jerry's behavior suspicious for several reasons:
He was thoroughly cleaning the house when they arrived
The interior had been almost completely remodeled
New furniture replaced the old, which Jerry claimed to have burned
Neighbors reported concerning observations about Jerry's activities after Susan and Evan's disappearance:
Multiple large fires in the backyard
Thick smoke containing odors of burning plastics
Smoke so intense it affected houses 4-5 properties away
When investigators returned with a search warrant, they discovered Jerry continuing his cleaning efforts, suggesting possible evidence tampering. The extensive remodeling seemed particularly suspicious to Susan's friend Holly, who confirmed the house had been recently painted and had no need for renovations.
Investigators ultimately requested assistance from the State Bureau of Investigations to conduct specialized luminol testing, concerned that Jerry's cleaning efforts might have been attempting to hide crucial evidence related to the disappearance of Susan and her son.
Jerry Osborne's Background
Jerry Osborne, an Air Force veteran, presented himself as a devoted family man while harboring troubling secrets beneath his carefully constructed facade. His relationship with Susan Osborne began with promise but would eventually lead to mysterious circumstances that raised serious questions about his character and actions.
Marriage to Susan Osborne
Jerry met Susan after her divorce and quickly became an important figure in her life. Susan was immediately attracted to him, often sharing with her best friend Holly that she believed Jerry was "the one." Their relationship progressed rapidly, leading to marriage within a year of their first meeting. For Jerry, who reportedly had never had a family before, Susan and her son Evan became his first real family unit. This new family dynamic seemed to give Jerry purpose and a sense of belonging he may have previously lacked.
Protective Nature and Lifestyle Contributions
Jerry demonstrated protective behaviors toward his new family and appeared to be generous with financial support. He insisted that Susan maintain a certain appearance, regularly purchasing dresses for her. The couple lived in a nice home that Jerry helped provide, which allowed Susan to leave her job and become a full-time wife and mother.
Linda Anlam, Susan's mother who lived in Texas, had limited interaction with Jerry but initially viewed him as a good match for her daughter. During her visits, Linda observed Jerry's protective tendencies toward Susan and Evan. Despite the geographical distance, she believed her daughter had found stability and security in her new marriage.
Secret Double Life
Behind the facade of domestic bliss, Jerry Osborne harbored significant secrets. Susan had discovered what she referred to as Jerry's "extracurricular activities" shortly before her disappearance. In communications with her friend Holly, Susan expressed concern about these discoveries, noting "I cannot let him know what I know."
When Susan and Evan mysteriously vanished after Memorial Day weekend, Jerry's behavior became increasingly suspicious. Despite his wife and stepson being missing for two months, Jerry never reported their disappearance to authorities. Instead, when questioned, he claimed Susan had left him for another man.
After Susan's disappearance, Jerry engaged in extensive remodeling of their home, replacing furniture and flooring that neighbors reported didn't need renovation. He burned numerous household items in the backyard, creating smoke so thick that neighbors several houses down couldn't go outside. Most troublingly, when deputies arrived at the residence, they found Jerry thoroughly cleaning the house—behavior he repeated when officers returned with a search warrant the following day.
The Investigation Intensifies
Susan's Prolonged Silence Raises Alarms
Linda Anlam became increasingly concerned when her daughter Susan stopped responding to texts and calls after Mother's Day weekend. This silence was completely out of character for Susan, who typically never went more than a day or two without returning messages. When Linda traveled to Michigan for her granddaughter's graduation, she sent Susan numerous photos but received no response.
"If you don't answer my text, I'm going to have to come to Alabama and look for you," Linda texted jokingly, growing more worried. Even a letter Linda mailed to Susan's address was returned marked "not deliverable," which deeply troubled her.
Holly, Susan's best friend who had recently moved to South Florida, experienced the same concerning silence. She initially wondered if Susan was upset about her move, but when both Susan's and Evan's phones were disconnected, her concern deepened significantly.
Evidence Gathering at the Property
When deputies finally visited the Osborne residence after Linda reported her daughter missing, they immediately noticed something unusual—Susan's car was still in the driveway. Upon entering the home, investigators discovered Jerry Osborne thoroughly cleaning the residence, which immediately raised suspicions.
The house had undergone a complete transformation in just two months. Deputies noted:
The interior appeared completely remodeled
New furniture throughout the home
Old furniture reportedly burned in the backyard
Fresh paint on walls and new flooring installed
Neighbors confirmed seeing frequent fires on the property, with Nikki Miller stating, "There was so much smoke they couldn't even go outside in their yard, and this is four and five houses down." The smell of burning plastics permeated the neighborhood on multiple occasions.
Concerned that crucial evidence might be permanently lost due to the extensive cleaning and renovations, investigators called in the State Bureau of Investigations to conduct luminol testing, which can detect blood traces even after cleaning attempts.
Jerry Osborne's Account of Events
When questioned by authorities, Jerry provided a surprising explanation for his wife and stepson's absence. He claimed that on Memorial Day, Susan had decided to leave him, and that an unknown man had picked up both Susan and Evan. According to Jerry, Susan returned the following day only to collect furniture and personal belongings.
Jerry attempted to prove Susan and Evan were still alive by producing a medical bill for Evan. However, investigators quickly determined this was actually a bill for a missed appointment, not evidence of Evan receiving treatment.
Detective Anton noted that Jerry's behavior changed noticeably when he realized a formal investigation was underway. "When he found out that we actually were there to investigate the matter, it would appear that he did some follow-up clean up," the detective observed.
The timing raised serious concerns—Jerry had waited a full 60 days before anyone officially reported Susan and Evan missing, putting investigators at a significant disadvantage. "We're 60 days behind the ball trying to work a missing person case. That's not a good situation to be in," noted one law enforcement official.
Crime Scene Analysis
Personal Items and Belongings
When investigators arrived at the Osborne residence, they made several disturbing observations regarding Susan and Evan's possessions. Susan's vehicle remained parked in the driveway, which immediately raised concerns among deputies. Typically, individuals who leave voluntarily take their primary transportation. The disconnection of both Susan and Evan's phones coincided with their disappearance, eliminating important communication channels with family and friends.
Jerry Osborne provided limited explanation for missing items, claiming Susan had returned to collect furniture and personal belongings after initially leaving. However, this account contradicted other evidence at the scene. Most troublingly, Jerry could not provide substantial information about the man Susan supposedly left with, offering only a "vague physical description" when questioned by authorities.
Home Renovation Activities
Investigators discovered extensive remodeling throughout the residence, completed within a remarkably short two-month timeframe following Susan and Evan's disappearance. The renovations appeared unnecessary according to Susan's friend Holly, who noted Susan had repainted the house less than six months prior. The timing and extent of these modifications raised significant red flags for the investigative team.
Jerry's remodeling efforts included:
Complete interior renovation
Removal of hardwood floors and carpeting
Replacement of existing furniture
Thorough cleaning of the premises
Neighbors reported concerning outdoor burning activities at the property. Nikki Miller, who lived 4-5 houses away, described days when smoke was so thick that residents "couldn't even go outside in their yard." Jerry admitted to burning old furniture in the backyard, including mattresses and bed frames, activities that generated distinctly unusual odors described by neighbors as the "smell of plastics burning."
Forensic Testing and Evidence Detection
Due to the extensive cleaning and remodeling of the property, investigators faced significant challenges in gathering physical evidence. Detective Anton observed Jerry actively cleaning during both initial visits to the residence. After realizing authorities were conducting a formal investigation, Jerry appeared to intensify his cleaning efforts.
To overcome these limitations, the investigation team employed specialized forensic techniques:
Luminol Testing: Investigators contacted the State Bureau of Investigations to assist with luminol application throughout the property
Evidence Preservation: Special attention was given to areas that may have been missed during the cleaning process
Timeline Analysis: Detectives worked to reconstruct events despite being "60 days behind" in the investigation
The luminol testing represented a critical investigative step, as this chemical detection method can reveal blood evidence even after thorough cleaning attempts. As one investigator noted, they weren't looking for minor evidence - "No paper cut we're talking about here. No, not at all."
Uncovering the Truth
Secret Correspondence Between Friends
Susan had been sending private emails to her best friend Holly, revealing concerns she couldn't share with others. "She knew a lot more than what she ever let on to him," investigators discovered after examining these communications. In one particularly telling message sent after a fishing trip with her son Evan, Susan expressed optimism about her relationship with Jerry Osborne, writing to Holly: "I think he's the one I really want to give a chance."
Holly received numerous excited messages from Susan during the early stages of the relationship. Susan would frequently share screenshots of text conversations and express her growing feelings for Jerry. The correspondence revealed Susan was genuinely "Head Over Heels" for the Air Force veteran from their very first meeting.
Those Who Knew Them
Family members initially saw Jerry as an ideal partner for Susan. Her mother Linda, who lived in Texas, had only met Jerry during occasional visits but developed a positive impression of him. "He was very protective of them," Linda noted, adding that "he wanted Susie to look nice" and "didn't mind buying her dresses."
Jerry provided Susan and Evan with a comfortable home, allowing Susan to leave her job and become a full-time wife and mother. The last time Linda visited the family was on Mother's Day, just weeks before their disappearance. "She took me out for manicure pedicure. We did lunch. It was a great visit," Linda recalled.
Neighbors had different impressions, noting disturbing patterns of behavior. Nikki Miller, who lived four to five houses away, reported that Jerry's backyard fires created "so much smoke they couldn't even go outside in their yard." These frequent burning episodes concerned multiple residents in the area.
Troubling Evidence and Suspicious Activities
Investigators discovered alarming behaviors when they began looking into the case. Upon their first visit to the home, deputies immediately noticed Susan's car still in the driveway, contradicting Jerry's story about her leaving voluntarily. Even more suspicious was finding Jerry "thoroughly cleaning his residence" when they arrived.
The house had undergone an extensive and seemingly unnecessary renovation. Holly, who had visited shortly before Susan's disappearance, stated: "She had repainted the house probably less than 6 months before this... there was no reason to rip up the hardwoods and carpet." Jerry had also replaced furniture, claiming to have burned the old pieces in the backyard.
Jerry's explanations raised serious concerns among investigators. He claimed a man had picked up Susan and Evan on Memorial Day, then said Susan returned briefly the following day to collect furniture and belongings. When questioned further, Jerry could only provide "a vague physical description" of this supposed individual. His attempt to prove Susan and Evan were alive—producing a medical bill for Evan—backfired when detectives discovered it was merely a notice for a missed appointment.
