The amount of unsolved cases that involve the victims' clothes being suspiciously folded near by while they are in nearly impossible or compromising positions is mind boggling.
Especially in the great outdoors! This happens often with the missing 411 cases. People will be found in an area that would be considered almost impossible for them walk to and their clothes are found folded, far away from where they were eventually discovered.
The folding of the clothes is a HUGE indicator of state of mind imo. If he was on drugs or feeling frantically hot from hypothermia, I can’t imagine taking the time to fold his clothes. I think it was a dare and Andrew bailed.
Its a reach but if he had adolescent onset schizophrenia he may have been told by a vision to remove his clothes and follow it up the chimney. Schizophrenia is terrifying
So my boyfriend is a chimney sweep and I had him listen in to give his input . The bird guard (the metal cage on top of the chimney) doesn’t need to be removed for cleaning,chimney cleans our done from the bottom almost always. Going from the bottom of the chimney the biggest the flu usually will ever be is 13in x 13in. This case is very puzzling but my boyfriend says for him to have gone in through the top someone would have to unscrew the bird guard and then have screwed in back in after he was in there. I just feel so bad and hopefully someday there will be answers or even justice served.
The thing that really is getting me about this case being concluded is that we know and COPS know that Andrew literally murdered someone and admitted to killing another person but he’s still out there just walking around?? Absolutely baffling
This happened literally 800ft from the house I grew up in. I remember my dad being so broken up about it in the paper when he was found. It always bothered us that we were literally so close to him and just didn’t know he needed help. 😢
I was pretty young so I don’t recall any reports of a smell from me or my family at least. If I recall correctly the property had a decently closed off yard. And there are lots of trees paired with the crazy weather of Colorado and high altitude. I would have to guess you’d need to be in the house or on the property to be able to recognize anything was wrong/smell anything. It was just an abandoned old cabin (something common in the area) so it was easy to miss.
A parent's worst nightmare is to lose a child. (I know it is mine) they lost two precious sons. I cant imagine their pain. This story litterly gives me extreme anxiety. I will pray for the family
1:07:48 regarding any ideas if Josh was alone for this (**in no way am I claiming this is exactly what happened, just an idea from my experience): I am a mental health therapist who works with a particular population of individuals. At approx 19 years old, and often seemingly out of nowhere, males experience psychosis/schizophrenia for the first time, if they are going to experience that diagnosis in life. The onset of this diagnosis and it's symptoms is alarmingly rapid, often leaving friends/family reeling, not understanding what is going on. What made this possibility come to mind for me was hearing that leading up to his disappearance he was saying things about getting out, going on an adventure, traveling free-spiritedly, etc. This is extremely common in the build-up to a psychotic break. Again, I'm OBVIOUSLY not saying that the expression of wanting to adventure=psychosis. But a bizarre disappearance and death shortly thereafter would certainly fit the pattern I have observed. The families and friends of the individual often tell me "no way, he would never do that, he's never had any history of mental illness, etc."-- But even with zero previous mental health issues or other indicators, this happens way more frequently that you would think. The undressing, the "burrowing" into a small space, these are all things that I have experienced with clients before, often because they are experiencing quite scary auditory and visual hallucinations. And again the onset of this can be completely out of nowhere. Remember the case of Elisa Lam and the Cecil Hotel? It's my firm belief she had a psychotic break and got herself into that "small space", similar to how one my get themselves into a Chimney. So I just wanted to bring that possible explanation up and see if anyone else had discussed that before. Thanks for the great case coverage as always! Rest in peace, Josh ♥
I don’t think he would have neatly folded his clothes and gone outside and climbed a house to go into a chimney from the roof. Did he also block the entrance?
A guy a went to high school with, he literally started experiencing psychosis around 19-21 and right now as we speak he’s gone missing for the second known time. I get your theory completely!
Similar happened to my cousin in his 30s. He was always completely normal and then one day in his 30s, he just headed South mentally. Turned out to be schizophrenia.
There is a case in Australia where a woman went down a waste disposal chute. It is debated whether she did it herself or was forced into the chute. Her name was Phoebe Handsjuk and it's a very interesting one. You guys should definitely consider covering it. There is a podcast about it called Phoebe's Fall. They have done experiments to see whether it would be even physically possible for someone to lower themselves down into the chute. It could be done but was very difficult. I've been waiting for you guys to cover Joshua Maddux. Great watch as usual.
I was surprised that the main theories didn’t include SA. My first instinct was that Josh was attacked on his hike and hidden in the chimney of an abandoned cabin. To me, it explains why his pants were removed in the cabin and why the chimney was barricaded. Whatever happened, I hope this poor kid is resting in peace, now 🕊️
When I heard he was found naked and his clothes were in the cabin threw up red flags for me. What person is going to completely strip to climb into a dusty old chimney
@@hippieraptor the most probabile explanation is that he entered from above, full dressed, and got stuck because the bottom of the chimney is not larger as a hand: no way you could enter or escaping from the bottom. Panicking, the only thing he could was removing some clothes to throw down to that tiny hole, hoping someone noticed the clothes before he was already gone. Upside down you pass away often due to the strong blood pressure on the brain. Then someone entered the cabin, folded the clothes without thinking nothing special about it, slept there eventually smelling some "dead animal" in the chimney and trying to block it with the breakfast bar. I said that about the clothes because there are other cases of people stuck in pipes that tried to throw out at least shoes and clothes in the hope to be noticed
@@pinkrubix the grate was not at his place (the owner lied because he feared negligence accusations) or he put there later. It's way more probable than stuffing a naked corpse up in a 6 inches hole, feet first, up in a fireplace.
The crazy thing for me is that nearly every theory I come across in this case, seems plausible. The police completely blew it, and it's so frustrating that we will likely never know the truth. My heart breaks for the Maddux family.
Chuck is one of the top contractors in the area - he said there is NO WAY HE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN IN FROM THE TOP DUE TO THE GRATE. His team has made numerous statements they had to remove the grate physically. That’s all I need to hear.
but if you look for the chimney's diagrams, there's no way an adult body could be squeezed in a tiny hole at the bottom. You can only enter from above. The grating was not there, it's the only explanation.
Except people have suggested that the grate was off and the owner lied out of fear he’d be found liable out of negligence. When you consider that possibility, it resolves a lot of issues with this case.
Dare gone wrong could be possible and the other person panicked. But given his record i doubt it. Josh's folded clothes inside means he didn't go down "santa clause style" to get inside. Would you go down headfirst ? Hypothermia no. He would have went home definitely wouldn't have took time to fold his clothes. Folded clothes suggests killer cared for josh. The fireplace was blocked by the bar so he wasn't alone. Could the bar be moved by only one person? was Josh hidden there? Idk. Sad either way. Healing vibes n love to his family.
I wonder if there are old pictures of the house and chimney from when it was a casino. It might not prove anything concrete but it might give a size idea or something at least
My parents were pcp addicts. Having first hand experience with this type of people as a child, the pcp theory makes alot of sense to me. Also I've seen people on pcp take off their clothes even in frigid temperatures. They don't feel it!
I remember when Kelsey Berreth was murdered at her condo. The local law enforcement in Woodland Park said nothing seems suspicious. Her family comes down and finds blood all over her unit.
In what part of the world is Santa Claus known for diving into chimneys head first??!! Head first to me says foul play.... Head first says it was done TO HIM in an effort to hide his body
The way he was found reminds me so much of the Kendrick Johnson case where he was found in that wrestling mat upside down. That doesn’t just happen accidentally especially with how they were both found. If Kendrick was actually reaching for his shoe, his arm would’ve been above his head. I believe there’s definitely foul play involved in both cases and it’s sad that they just let the case go cold
Chimneys are made to be wider at the top and taper down so people can't go down it, He could not have been pushed up the chimney unless his bones were broken. He would have had to break in, take off his clothes and then go back outside, climb up to the grated chimney and go down it, This case smells bad from start to end. Just my two cents. Love the show.
@@kierathompson1561 Because ain't no way Josh or ANYONE would do anything in this type of situation WILLINGLY. I'd say whoever else was in the house had his way with Josh (hence being naked waist down with only a shirt because first thing you do is point on underwear FIRST when putting clothes on🤦🙄), took him to the roof, struggle ensues, Josh is pushed down the chimney, Josh ends up dead, more than likely snapping his neck and breaking some bones in his body as well. Apologies if I made little sense, but so does this case. So much we don't know 🤦
@@dietitianlovesjesus6968 Maybe. Or probably heard a disturbance on the rooftop (footsteps) trying to remove the metal grate while getting dressed, went outside, climbed up to roof, saw the killer, fight happens and ends up thrown and shoved in the chimney. We'll probably never know
Hoping Josh feels better soon! 😭 that’s the worst feeling. Thank you Janelle for stepping in and you guys always do the best regardless of the circumstances
The thing with hypothermia is that the person can experience severe confusion and hallucinations, so they are unable to make rational decisions or behave in a way that makes any logical sense. If Josh was in that state, he could have gotten into the cabin, paradoxically undressed, pulled the breakfast bar off the wall to cover the chimney, then climbed up inside it and curled into a ball. I know it seems bizarre, but it does explain the apparent sequence of events and how he was found at the cabin. There's an interesting study about terminal burrowing behaviour on pubmed I think. Either way, whatever happened in this horrifying case, rest in peace Josh.
I think the same .. the only thing that for me doesn’t make sense it’s that I don’t think that he was in the right mind to fold his clothes … I think that was his “friend”
@@kathyax I was thinking the same, folding his clothes seems odd. I think his parents would know if he was a folder, he’s an 18 year old kid was his bedroom tidy with folded clothes? Or were his clothes always in a pile.
but it doesn’t make sense to me that he would even get to the point of hypothermia before turning around and going home. temperatures don’t just suddenly drop and if he got chilly he’d just head back to his house. i think someone else was involved for sure
I've been waiting to see coverage on this case! He was found while I was vacationing in Woodland Park, actually, and this case has stuck with me ever since.
Omg when Josh spoke😢Feel better Josh! Listen to your wife! Kendall knows☺️Lights Out went amazing. Sessssshies YAY JANELLE COHOSTING MILE HIGHER❤ All the merges are my dream. I am SO Glad you are covering this case it is crazy and heartbreaking. Amazing Job all of you! Rest in peace to Josh always❤️
I think it was a dare, Josh climbed up, got stuck. Andrew saw an opportunity to leave someone for dead and moved the bar. I think the reason Josh is in a weird angle is because he got high enough to flip around (chimneys are wider at the top) since he couldn’t get out the top due to the grate.
The best explanation IMO is that he went down somewhat willingly (drugged, or dared, or forced) and that the second person with him put the grate back. But the folded clothes make no sense, nor does it make sense that he was wearing only a shirt. Truly puzzling.
he thrown some clothes in the hope to be found, but later who entered the cabin thought nothing about the clothes, he folded it and slept in the cabin.
@@MileHigher look at the chimney's diagrams: no way you enter from the bottom. And no way you can turn your body upside down once you are inside the chimney. The only explanation is that he entered from above, head first, and thrown his clothes in the tiny hole in the hope someone noticed. But when someone entered in, he was already gone, they folded the clothes and blocked the fireplace because the smell, thinking nothing about the two things together. The drawings are very clear, there are no other possibilities!
@MileHigher also NEWSFLASH…being a young person does NOT automatically classify you as a runaway…EVERY disappearance should be investigated as suspicious until proven otherwise…love you guys and your hearts for what y’all do to help the loved ones of the victims
Hope you feel better Josh! Excited for the little switch up and to hear more from Janelle this episode! Thank you for the hard work you guys put in every week, your different shows are what get me through my workweek! 🥰
This case is one of the most horrifying ones I’ve heard. If this happened on accident due to him being adventurous…..oh my gosh!!! What an awful way to go. This is nightmare fuel to me. I am so thankful that he was found. However, I feel so sad for him and his loved ones. 😢
I wonder about his folded clothes. Most kids that age are not going to fold their clothes neatly. I wonder if that was a typical action of his. I thought the same that he may have taken his clothes off to go up into the chimney but the three things that bothered me is why did why would he be upside down? Why was the entry blocked? And then his clothes being folded. Other things have been said about the first two but the folded clothes is the one that really gets me.
Yes I wondered if his family have said whether that was common for Josh to fold his clothes! My daughter is a bit younger than Josh but she’s so messy and doesn’t fold anything so I’d know if it was her x
I love this video of having Janelle take Josh's spot!! I love when she chimes in, and I now love how they switched places for this video! ❤I think it would be cool for you all to switch spots every once in a while, I wonder how it would be with all 3 of you at once! I also love when Julia joins you guys too 🖤
He locked him out of the cabin without his clothes. He tried to get in through the chimney and Andrew heard him and moved the breakfast nook to block him from getting out.
The breakfast nook was a bar that was attached to the wall, it had to be ripped off the wall. I feel he ripped it off the wall after Josh’s death as a coverup; a cause/manner/time of death couldn’t be determined so we don’t know if we died in or out of the chimney. He was found in the fetal position, his feet pointing down so he could’ve climbed through the fireplace, standing upright inside. The metal grate wasn’t a screwed on chimney cover, it was a cemented between the layers of brick. This case has gripped me to no end
This is ridiculous they assumed it was an accident or unalived by himself. The chimney was blocked from the top. And the breakfast bar was blocking the chimney. So how did that happen?
They could have also been on the roof together - “Andy” kills Joshua for whatever reason (potentially on drugs of some sort), removes the grate, shoves Josh down the chimney (maybe he had to remove some of his clothes to make him fit), replaces the grate and then goes down into the cabin and blocks off the chimney with the breakfast bar to “cover his tracks” / make Joshua less likely to be found quickly. Someone else entirely could have found the clothes strewn in the cabin a la Andy and folded them to tidy up and in case their owner came back 🤷🏼♀️
The folded clothes is odd. I wonder if Josh was going to spend the night in the cabin, took off his clothes to sleep. Heard a noise and went outside then got locked out. So decided to climb through the chimney to get back in the house. The bar could have been moved at anytime I. The next seven years just to block the smell, by some unrelated people who were camping there
@@fijiforblu4036 Eh, I can see it. Even if it was abandoned, the door likely had some locking mechanism. Maybe it was in disrepair and was normally easy to get through, but for whatever reason the lock fell into place. Even locks to inhabited buildings can get jammed. I'd imagine that if it was a door not often used, the lock would be even more likely to not work quite the way it's supposed to all the time.
almost right... he entered from the chimney, got stuck because the open at the bottom is very small, then pushed his clothes down the fireplace hoping to being found. But who entered later didn't understood and just folded his clothes and blocked the fireplace to spend the night in.
Something very similar happened to a man here in Nebraska! A man got stuck in his chimney and neighbors kept calling law enforcement bc they heard someone screaming for help but he wasn’t found until it was too late.
There was another chimney case that had a lot in common down to the folding of the clothes I believe the kid was younger but he was locked out his home and ended up under the same circumstances.
I work in EMS, and I can tell you that sometimes, when people take PCP and certain other drugs, they get naked due to temperature changes within the body. I think that’s what happened. A lot of younger people experiment with drugs and their family isn’t aware of it. Regardless, this is so sad. Prayers for the family
I have always been intrigued by this case from the first time I heard it some time ago. The grating on top of the chimney was in place they said...therefore, the only deduction is someone else placed him in there, then put the grating back on top, securing it. What other way would explain that one, small point? I've lost a twin son a few years ago, and cannot imagine losing both sons within 2 years...absolute nightmare you never awaken from.
@@aHavenForTheLost thank you. Been a road I do not recommend to anyone...but then, not our choice. I miss the me I was when he was on earth...and miss him on earth so much. It was their 18th birthday last Autumn...so f-ing hard...every milestone, every significant date to him/them...every year. Tears are a daily visitor.
@@itslaylaplays.8869 Thank you. Hard road...long road...a road covered in tears from other parents' longing, added to mine as I traverse this road. Having them turn 18 last Autumn...joy for my earth twin son and grief for my spirit twin son...at the same time.
I think josh and andrew were hanging out, stumbled upon the abandoned cabin, and then andrew dared him to see if he could go up chimney and then he blocked him in with the breakfast bar... maybe andrew had it out for him for some reason we aren't aware of.
As a sesh girlie, I love seeing Janelle up front! I hope you feel better soon Josh (p.s I was SO hoping you’d cover this case, rly wanted to hear your theories/thoughts on it) ✨
before you guys went to the hazing theory, i was already thinking about a hazing gone wrong. I think he would have been more likely to partake in the hazing because he was a homeschooled kid. Homeschooled kids are often seen as outcasts in public schools, and especially during high school, you want friends, you want to feel accepted and seem "cool".
What if…. Andrew was on something and thought Josh was gonna “snitch” pulled the knife, made him strip (wired) , they struggled and Andrew thought he killed him and put him in the fireplace… blocked it off to hide it, but he didn’t die and the only way out was up…?
Idk if I missed it but was the cabin empty and locked up. If he was trying to get in through the chimney and got stuck, and over the years things got moved in front of the fireplace. People are in and out over the years someone could have picked up the clothes and set them aside.
I am so sad about this. The fact that the counter was moved to the front of the fireplace shortly before the smell started makes me wonder if someone put him there.
wouldn’t “santa claus style” suggest feet first? not head first? also, if someone was consciously thinking about gaining access through a chimney from the roof you would have to consider the possibility of getting stuck and needing a way to get out which wouldn’t be easy or likely even possible going head first from the roof. then the alternative of leaving the cabin through the chimney, how? by doing a freaking handstand lifting himself and climbing backwards upside down? how are either of those honestly thought possible?
I love your podcast! I would love to see you guys talk about the disappearance of Brian Shaffer. His case is so crazy and baffling. It would really be incredible if you had a guest speak who was with him that night. Or someone who knows his case very well. Maybe his brother. Or Meredith Reed. If they would ever want to speak publicly. You guys have an amazing podcast!
When youre a free spirit and a generally good person and someone who is your " friend" is an intimdating person, you sometimes just give in and do things that dont make sense. I think he got dared to first take a substance and then after that got dared or forced to climb up the chimney and his "friend" didnt care or wanted him to get stuck and left. Either way, the laziness of the police department. The unprofessionalism of the coroner is unacceptable and Josh deserved better and the family deserves real answers.
even a bad acid trip could cause him to go into the chimney you never know how it will affect you, also following his brothers death experimenting with drugs wouldn't be that crazy. I think andrew possibly gave him the drugs?
Something that makes sense to me is that he was not alone in that cabin. Whoever was with him maybe tried to SA him, there was a struggle (can’t prove because of decomp) then in a ditch effort to get away went for the chimney? He got stuck then maybe his attacker moved the bar to block him in? So sad anyway you might make sense of. Praying for his family. ❤
I was thinking something along these lines too especially given Andrew had a history of getting triggered for an unknown reason and killing a guy while the guy showered.
I'm so glad you guys went back to basics. I stopped watching for a moment, but I'm so happy to see just the three of you doing the best as you always do. Feel better Josh
So I had heard about this one before because of the nature of Josh’s case but didn’t know all their inner details until this video. Just so sad and bizarre. Also, Janelle and Kendall did a fantastic job with this one, they always present so well together.
Random, but I love that you and Janelle have such a great relationship & friendship as cousins! You two have such a nice vibe together. I don't even know the surnames of some of my cousins..
My son is 17. I aaked him his thoughts, and he instantly said "it was a dare" and his "friend" saw him stuck, and bailed. So sad. ❤
That's exactly what I was thinking and I have teenage sons so that's what I thought
But why would Josh go in the chimney head first?? Wouldn't he just go in FEET first? That would make more sense, yeah? Idk about that..
i can see this
@diminie_chimket Santa went feet first right? Maybe I misheard?
@@diminie_chimket Probably, but I can also picture a scenario where he did go in feet first, got stuck, and somehow turned himself around.
I hope Andrew googles himself once in a while and comes across this video and finds it in his heart to finally confess if he hurt Josh
The amount of unsolved cases that involve the victims' clothes being suspiciously folded near by while they are in nearly impossible or compromising positions is mind boggling.
So much so 😢
Agreed! I always think about this!
emphasis on mind !! boggling !!
Especially in the great outdoors! This happens often with the missing 411 cases. People will be found in an area that would be considered almost impossible for them walk to and their clothes are found folded, far away from where they were eventually discovered.
this comment is going to send me down a rabbit hole.
The folding of the clothes is a HUGE indicator of state of mind imo. If he was on drugs or feeling frantically hot from hypothermia, I can’t imagine taking the time to fold his clothes. I think it was a dare and Andrew bailed.
Exactly!
But to still have the shirt is odd.
I think it has been seen in other cases to neatly fold them. I don't believe it is the case here though.
Its a reach but if he had adolescent onset schizophrenia he may have been told by a vision to remove his clothes and follow it up the chimney. Schizophrenia is terrifying
Andrew must have powerful relatives
So my boyfriend is a chimney sweep and I had him listen in to give his input . The bird guard (the metal cage on top of the chimney) doesn’t need to be removed for cleaning,chimney cleans our done from the bottom almost always. Going from the bottom of the chimney the biggest the flu usually will ever be is 13in x 13in. This case is very puzzling but my boyfriend says for him to have gone in through the top someone would have to unscrew the bird guard and then have screwed in back in after he was in there. I just feel so bad and hopefully someday there will be answers or even justice served.
The thing that really is getting me about this case being concluded is that we know and COPS know that Andrew literally murdered someone and admitted to killing another person but he’s still out there just walking around?? Absolutely baffling
OMG! I thought you were serious abut him quitting!!! Feel better Josh!!!!
Same I was so scared for a second 😭
Me too!! Whew!!
I was shoook 😂
Same! The gasp that came out of me 😂😂
same i was so scared!
This happened literally 800ft from the house I grew up in. I remember my dad being so broken up about it in the paper when he was found. It always bothered us that we were literally so close to him and just didn’t know he needed help. 😢
Wow that is super sad when you think about it. No one could have known he was stuck in there. But when it’s that close to home it hurts more.
Was the cabin occupied from when he disappeared and when he was found? Did you all smell the smell?
@@kellylofton8748decorum…..
Did your family smell the smell of so how long was it around and why didn't anyone call in about it or go investigate the source
I was pretty young so I don’t recall any reports of a smell from me or my family at least. If I recall correctly the property had a decently closed off yard. And there are lots of trees paired with the crazy weather of Colorado and high altitude. I would have to guess you’d need to be in the house or on the property to be able to recognize anything was wrong/smell anything. It was just an abandoned old cabin (something common in the area) so it was easy to miss.
A parent's worst nightmare is to lose a child. (I know it is mine) they lost two precious sons. I cant imagine their pain. This story litterly gives me extreme anxiety. I will pray for the family
tff7ff7⁷77gr7⁷77777
I feel the same way. My heart hurts so much for Josh and his family. This case really hurts!
1:07:48 regarding any ideas if Josh was alone for this (**in no way am I claiming this is exactly what happened, just an idea from my experience): I am a mental health therapist who works with a particular population of individuals. At approx 19 years old, and often seemingly out of nowhere, males experience psychosis/schizophrenia for the first time, if they are going to experience that diagnosis in life. The onset of this diagnosis and it's symptoms is alarmingly rapid, often leaving friends/family reeling, not understanding what is going on. What made this possibility come to mind for me was hearing that leading up to his disappearance he was saying things about getting out, going on an adventure, traveling free-spiritedly, etc. This is extremely common in the build-up to a psychotic break. Again, I'm OBVIOUSLY not saying that the expression of wanting to adventure=psychosis. But a bizarre disappearance and death shortly thereafter would certainly fit the pattern I have observed.
The families and friends of the individual often tell me "no way, he would never do that, he's never had any history of mental illness, etc."-- But even with zero previous mental health issues or other indicators, this happens way more frequently that you would think. The undressing, the "burrowing" into a small space, these are all things that I have experienced with clients before, often because they are experiencing quite scary auditory and visual hallucinations. And again the onset of this can be completely out of nowhere. Remember the case of Elisa Lam and the Cecil Hotel? It's my firm belief she had a psychotic break and got herself into that "small space", similar to how one my get themselves into a Chimney. So I just wanted to bring that possible explanation up and see if anyone else had discussed that before.
Thanks for the great case coverage as always! Rest in peace, Josh ♥
My stepdads side of the family the males seem to have this happen at 18 or 27. It's really sad but that's also what I thought of.
I don’t think he would have neatly folded his clothes and gone outside and climbed a house to go into a chimney from the roof. Did he also block the entrance?
@@jessicamazariegos749That doesn’t explain the bar blocking the bottom though.
A guy a went to high school with, he literally started experiencing psychosis around 19-21 and right now as we speak he’s gone missing for the second known time. I get your theory completely!
Similar happened to my cousin in his 30s. He was always completely normal and then one day in his 30s, he just headed South mentally. Turned out to be schizophrenia.
There is a case in Australia where a woman went down a waste disposal chute. It is debated whether she did it herself or was forced into the chute. Her name was Phoebe Handsjuk and it's a very interesting one. You guys should definitely consider covering it. There is a podcast about it called Phoebe's Fall.
They have done experiments to see whether it would be even physically possible for someone to lower themselves down into the chute. It could be done but was very difficult.
I've been waiting for you guys to cover Joshua Maddux. Great watch as usual.
This was covered by Bailey Sarian a month ago and it’s so impossible to go down on its own.
janelle & kendall two days in a row!! this is the best week ever
I was surprised that the main theories didn’t include SA. My first instinct was that Josh was attacked on his hike and hidden in the chimney of an abandoned cabin. To me, it explains why his pants were removed in the cabin and why the chimney was barricaded. Whatever happened, I hope this poor kid is resting in peace, now 🕊️
When I heard he was found naked and his clothes were in the cabin threw up red flags for me. What person is going to completely strip to climb into a dusty old chimney
I think gender plays a huge role. Imagine the speculation if a woman were found partially nude in a chimney.
@@hippieraptor the most probabile explanation is that he entered from above, full dressed, and got stuck because the bottom of the chimney is not larger as a hand: no way you could enter or escaping from the bottom. Panicking, the only thing he could was removing some clothes to throw down to that tiny hole, hoping someone noticed the clothes before he was already gone. Upside down you pass away often due to the strong blood pressure on the brain. Then someone entered the cabin, folded the clothes without thinking nothing special about it, slept there eventually smelling some "dead animal" in the chimney and trying to block it with the breakfast bar. I said that about the clothes because there are other cases of people stuck in pipes that tried to throw out at least shoes and clothes in the hope to be noticed
@@agostinodublino1387 Did he put the grate back on the top of the chimney with his feet?
@@pinkrubix the grate was not at his place (the owner lied because he feared negligence accusations) or he put there later. It's way more probable than stuffing a naked corpse up in a 6 inches hole, feet first, up in a fireplace.
The crazy thing for me is that nearly every theory I come across in this case, seems plausible. The police completely blew it, and it's so frustrating that we will likely never know the truth. My heart breaks for the Maddux family.
Chuck is one of the top contractors in the area - he said there is NO WAY HE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN IN FROM THE TOP DUE TO THE GRATE. His team has made numerous statements they had to remove the grate physically. That’s all I need to hear.
but if you look for the chimney's diagrams, there's no way an adult body could be squeezed in a tiny hole at the bottom. You can only enter from above. The grating was not there, it's the only explanation.
Except people have suggested that the grate was off and the owner lied out of fear he’d be found liable out of negligence. When you consider that possibility, it resolves a lot of issues with this case.
Dare gone wrong could be possible and the other person panicked. But given his record i doubt it.
Josh's folded clothes inside means he didn't go down "santa clause style" to get inside. Would you go down headfirst ? Hypothermia no. He would have went home definitely wouldn't have took time to fold his clothes. Folded clothes suggests killer cared for josh. The fireplace was blocked by the bar so he wasn't alone. Could the bar be moved by only one person? was Josh hidden there? Idk. Sad either way.
Healing vibes n love to his family.
What if he wasn't in the chimney but rather just stuffed inside the bottom with the bar covering it up.
I wonder if there are old pictures of the house and chimney from when it was a casino. It might not prove anything concrete but it might give a size idea or something at least
My parents were pcp addicts. Having first hand experience with this type of people as a child, the pcp theory makes alot of sense to me. Also I've seen people on pcp take off their clothes even in frigid temperatures. They don't feel it!
The light behind kendall is very calming.
i want one for myself 😂
@@trsjk188dd__ I thought they same thing...until i thought about my BOYS🤬🤣AND THATS why we can't have nice things🤣
i always think this too when i watch mile higher
I absolutely love that light and I need one
Janell is such a good speaker, was rly nice to see this story teller side of her
I remember when Kelsey Berreth was murdered at her condo. The local law enforcement in Woodland Park said nothing seems suspicious. Her family comes down and finds blood all over her unit.
In what part of the world is Santa Claus known for diving into chimneys head first??!!
Head first to me says foul play.... Head first says it was done TO HIM in an effort to hide his body
THAT PART !!
YES i was so confused about it being called Santa style. Every depiction I've ever seen of Santa with a chimney has been feet first.
Oh thank you for covering this case!!!! It doesn’t get enough in depth coverage
The way he was found reminds me so much of the Kendrick Johnson case where he was found in that wrestling mat upside down. That doesn’t just happen accidentally especially with how they were both found. If Kendrick was actually reaching for his shoe, his arm would’ve been above his head. I believe there’s definitely foul play involved in both cases and it’s sad that they just let the case go cold
I immediately thought the same thing!
Same
I thought the same.. and you make a great point
Thissss!
Came here to say the same thing!!!
Chimneys are made to be wider at the top and taper down so people can't go down it, He could not have been pushed up the chimney unless his bones were broken. He would have had to break in, take off his clothes and then go back outside, climb up to the grated chimney and go down it, This case smells bad from start to end. Just my two cents. Love the show.
That's the thing. Makes no sense. Definitely more to it
Exactly what I was thinking!
@@kierathompson1561 Because ain't no way Josh or ANYONE would do anything in this type of situation WILLINGLY. I'd say whoever else was in the house had his way with Josh (hence being naked waist down with only a shirt because first thing you do is point on underwear FIRST when putting clothes on🤦🙄), took him to the roof, struggle ensues, Josh is pushed down the chimney, Josh ends up dead, more than likely snapping his neck and breaking some bones in his body as well. Apologies if I made little sense, but so does this case. So much we don't know 🤦
I think he was hanging out on the roof with someone and got into a fight and someone pushed him into the chimney
@@dietitianlovesjesus6968 Maybe. Or probably heard a disturbance on the rooftop (footsteps) trying to remove the metal grate while getting dressed, went outside, climbed up to roof, saw the killer, fight happens and ends up thrown and shoved in the chimney. We'll probably never know
Hoping Josh feels better soon! 😭 that’s the worst feeling. Thank you Janelle for stepping in and you guys always do the best regardless of the circumstances
Hey Mile Higher peeps! Thanks for being here for us today.
The thing with hypothermia is that the person can experience severe confusion and hallucinations, so they are unable to make rational decisions or behave in a way that makes any logical sense. If Josh was in that state, he could have gotten into the cabin, paradoxically undressed, pulled the breakfast bar off the wall to cover the chimney, then climbed up inside it and curled into a ball. I know it seems bizarre, but it does explain the apparent sequence of events and how he was found at the cabin.
There's an interesting study about terminal burrowing behaviour on pubmed I think.
Either way, whatever happened in this horrifying case, rest in peace Josh.
I think the same .. the only thing that for me doesn’t make sense it’s that I don’t think that he was in the right mind to fold his clothes … I think that was his “friend”
@@kathyax I was thinking the same, folding his clothes seems odd. I think his parents would know if he was a folder, he’s an 18 year old kid was his bedroom tidy with folded clothes? Or were his clothes always in a pile.
This is what I was thinking!
but it doesn’t make sense to me that he would even get to the point of hypothermia before turning around and going home. temperatures don’t just suddenly drop and if he got chilly he’d just head back to his house. i think someone else was involved for sure
Yea, never mind the fact that he was last seen with a murderer.
I've been waiting to see coverage on this case! He was found while I was vacationing in Woodland Park, actually, and this case has stuck with me ever since.
Omg when Josh spoke😢Feel better Josh! Listen to your wife! Kendall knows☺️Lights Out went amazing. Sessssshies YAY JANELLE COHOSTING MILE HIGHER❤ All the merges are my dream.
I am SO Glad you are covering this case it is crazy and heartbreaking. Amazing Job all of you! Rest in peace to Josh always❤️
I think it was a dare, Josh climbed up, got stuck. Andrew saw an opportunity to leave someone for dead and moved the bar. I think the reason Josh is in a weird angle is because he got high enough to flip around (chimneys are wider at the top) since he couldn’t get out the top due to the grate.
So it was a dare then he changed his mind and wanted him left for dead don’t make sense
The best explanation IMO is that he went down somewhat willingly (drugged, or dared, or forced) and that the second person with him put the grate back. But the folded clothes make no sense, nor does it make sense that he was wearing only a shirt. Truly puzzling.
Right!!
he thrown some clothes in the hope to be found, but later who entered the cabin thought nothing about the clothes, he folded it and slept in the cabin.
This case has boggled my mind for so long, ever since I originally found out about when you covered it on your main channel.
This is actually our first time covering this case!
I can swear I saw this story already in Kendall's Channel
@@adrioglz I’m pretty sure the one on her channel was about a younger boy
@@MileHigher look at the chimney's diagrams: no way you enter from the bottom. And no way you can turn your body upside down once you are inside the chimney. The only explanation is that he entered from above, head first, and thrown his clothes in the tiny hole in the hope someone noticed. But when someone entered in, he was already gone, they folded the clothes and blocked the fireplace because the smell, thinking nothing about the two things together. The drawings are very clear, there are no other possibilities!
Yes i think she covered one about a boy in ohio. Same type of thing! Clothes folded inside. @anxiousqueen7705
Its giving Kendrick Johnson vibes as well! I'm surprised you guys didn't mention that. Such a sad case! Definitely makes your mind wonder.
@MileHigher also NEWSFLASH…being a young person does NOT automatically classify you as a runaway…EVERY disappearance should be investigated as suspicious until proven otherwise…love you guys and your hearts for what y’all do to help the loved ones of the victims
Yes I am sure they know that already but it is good to tell everyone else.
@@aHavenForTheLost I should’ve been clearer…that was directed at the police department and I apologize for any confusion or misunderstanding
Hope you feel better Josh! Excited for the little switch up and to hear more from Janelle this episode! Thank you for the hard work you guys put in every week, your different shows are what get me through my workweek! 🥰
I’m from Las Vegas and used to live near West Mesa. I don’t think I’ve ever seen any pod cover this case. Impressed as always!
Reminds me a bit of Harley Dilly. He was found in a chimney at a neighbours house x
I was thinking of the same thing 😢
I was just about to comment this same thing. Weren’t the clothes found in a similar way too?
Yes, his clothes were also folded
This case is one of the most horrifying ones I’ve heard. If this happened on accident due to him being adventurous…..oh my gosh!!! What an awful way to go. This is nightmare fuel to me.
I am so thankful that he was found. However, I feel so sad for him and his loved ones. 😢
After hearing the episode I’m personally coming to the conclusion that it was a horrible accident. Definitely an awful way to go…unimaginable 😢
Yall have some crazy theories. 🤪 He climbed in and got stuck
I wonder about his folded clothes. Most kids that age are not going to fold their clothes neatly. I wonder if that was a typical action of his. I thought the same that he may have taken his clothes off to go up into the chimney but the three things that bothered me is why did why would he be upside down? Why was the entry blocked? And then his clothes being folded. Other things have been said about the first two but the folded clothes is the one that really gets me.
Yes I wondered if his family have said whether that was common for Josh to fold his clothes! My daughter is a bit younger than Josh but she’s so messy and doesn’t fold anything so I’d know if it was her x
I love this video of having Janelle take Josh's spot!! I love when she chimes in, and I now love how they switched places for this video! ❤I think it would be cool for you all to switch spots every once in a while, I wonder how it would be with all 3 of you at once! I also love when Julia joins you guys too 🖤
He locked him out of the cabin without his clothes. He tried to get in through the chimney and Andrew heard him and moved the breakfast nook to block him from getting out.
The breakfast nook was a bar that was attached to the wall, it had to be ripped off the wall. I feel he ripped it off the wall after Josh’s death as a coverup; a cause/manner/time of death couldn’t be determined so we don’t know if we died in or out of the chimney.
He was found in the fetal position, his feet pointing down so he could’ve climbed through the fireplace, standing upright inside. The metal grate wasn’t a screwed on chimney cover, it was a cemented between the layers of brick.
This case has gripped me to no end
My heart shattered and jaw DROPPED when you said Josh quit… gahhh don’t do that to us!! 🤣🤣🤣
Rainy day in the ATX. Stuck in traffic, as per usual, thank you for this timely post!!! Sunshine in my day 🌞
Feel ya ! I’m in San Marcos
Had one of the worst days at school. Coming home and listening to yall is the best to cheer me up! ❤
I’ve been a fan for the last 8ish months and I’m just now noticing the lamp behind Kendall. I LOVE IT!! I want one so bad 😭
love you guys so proud of how far you’ve come 🥹
I'm so glad you guys covered this one!! It's always stuck with me. Every so often I think about it and just wonder what really happened
This is ridiculous they assumed it was an accident or unalived by himself. The chimney was blocked from the top. And the breakfast bar was blocking the chimney. So how did that happen?
They could have also been on the roof together - “Andy” kills Joshua for whatever reason (potentially on drugs of some sort), removes the grate, shoves Josh down the chimney (maybe he had to remove some of his clothes to make him fit), replaces the grate and then goes down into the cabin and blocks off the chimney with the breakfast bar to “cover his tracks” / make Joshua less likely to be found quickly.
Someone else entirely could have found the clothes strewn in the cabin a la Andy and folded them to tidy up and in case their owner came back 🤷🏼♀️
This is what I was thinking too.
The folded clothes is odd. I wonder if Josh was going to spend the night in the cabin, took off his clothes to sleep. Heard a noise and went outside then got locked out. So decided to climb through the chimney to get back in the house. The bar could have been moved at anytime I. The next seven years just to block the smell, by some unrelated people who were camping there
Interesting, but how could he have gotten locked out? An abandoned cabin would likely have barricaded windows/doors or be entirely open, no?
I don't think abandoned cabins have keys, so how could he get locked outside?
@@fijiforblu4036 Eh, I can see it. Even if it was abandoned, the door likely had some locking mechanism. Maybe it was in disrepair and was normally easy to get through, but for whatever reason the lock fell into place. Even locks to inhabited buildings can get jammed. I'd imagine that if it was a door not often used, the lock would be even more likely to not work quite the way it's supposed to all the time.
almost right... he entered from the chimney, got stuck because the open at the bottom is very small, then pushed his clothes down the fireplace hoping to being found. But who entered later didn't understood and just folded his clothes and blocked the fireplace to spend the night in.
Interesting, I had a very similar thought
The thought of him being stuck up the chimney makes me feel ill.
Something very similar happened to a man here in Nebraska! A man got stuck in his chimney and neighbors kept calling law enforcement bc they heard someone screaming for help but he wasn’t found until it was too late.
Do you know his name?
1:00:00 how could anyone get in a chimney from the bottom, with their feet in first?!
How is that even possible???!
There was another chimney case that had a lot in common down to the folding of the clothes I believe the kid was younger but he was locked out his home and ended up under the same circumstances.
I googled it, Harley Dilly was the name
@@jenbrown5061I actually thought this was that case .
Yes I had the same thought!! Definitely extremely eerie how similar they are..
Yes Harley Dilly in Ohio a few years ago....eerily similar forsure...
I think the folding of the clothes is going to be the key to this. Folding is a signature behavior or a sign of care?
I work in EMS, and I can tell you that sometimes, when people take PCP and certain other drugs, they get naked due to temperature changes within the body. I think that’s what happened. A lot of younger people experiment with drugs and their family isn’t aware of it. Regardless, this is so sad. Prayers for the family
I have always been intrigued by this case from the first time I heard it some time ago. The grating on top of the chimney was in place they said...therefore, the only deduction is someone else placed him in there, then put the grating back on top, securing it. What other way would explain that one, small point? I've lost a twin son a few years ago, and cannot imagine losing both sons within 2 years...absolute nightmare you never awaken from.
I’m so sorry for your loss and hope you are doing ok xx
I pray for healing and restoration for you and your family in Jesus name. ❤
So sorry
@@aHavenForTheLost thank you. Been a road I do not recommend to anyone...but then, not our choice. I miss the me I was when he was on earth...and miss him on earth so much. It was their 18th birthday last Autumn...so f-ing hard...every milestone, every significant date to him/them...every year. Tears are a daily visitor.
@@itslaylaplays.8869 Thank you. Hard road...long road...a road covered in tears from other parents' longing, added to mine as I traverse this road. Having them turn 18 last Autumn...joy for my earth twin son and grief for my spirit twin son...at the same time.
Dayummm Janelle , you’re looking pretty fly
I was also thinking about how pretty she looks
I was thinking the same!!!
This case is so similar to the Harley Dilly case, down to his clothes being found inside the house when he was inside the chimney.... So strange
This case has always bugged me, thanks for the deep dive!!
Off topic, but that light behind you Kendall i LOVEEEE
The only reason I can think of to fold the clothes up is if he knew he was going to go into the chimney and wanted to keep his clothes clean?
But he did keep his thermal shirt on so he wasn’t completely naked.
This case is so sad and heartbreaking. This case about Josh has always disturbed me. I can’t decide what I believe happened to him.
I think josh and andrew were hanging out, stumbled upon the abandoned cabin, and then andrew dared him to see if he could go up chimney and then he blocked him in with the breakfast bar... maybe andrew had it out for him for some reason we aren't aware of.
THE SESH AND MILE HIGHER IN ONE!!!! I'm pumpeddddd!!
Feel better soon Josh ❤
As a sesh girlie, I love seeing Janelle up front! I hope you feel better soon Josh (p.s I was SO hoping you’d cover this case, rly wanted to hear your theories/thoughts on it) ✨
Fellow seshie as well!
Wait, people think santa goes down chimneys head first? This is the first I’ve heard of this. Santa isn’t a snake, I always pictured boots first
Janelle fits so well in Mile Higher!
Of course I love when Josh is in, but I’m excited to watch Janelle and Kendall do a mile higher ep!!
Same! They all have good chemistry
Feel better soon Josh!!! We always looove to spending time with Janelle💜
Listening to you guys whilst travelling in Portugal to the Irish embassy cause I lost my passport and trying to get home 😬 ❤
Go n-éirí leat!
Omg this case has always drove me crazy! Can't wait to watch this one.
before you guys went to the hazing theory, i was already thinking about a hazing gone wrong. I think he would have been more likely to partake in the hazing because he was a homeschooled kid. Homeschooled kids are often seen as outcasts in public schools, and especially during high school, you want friends, you want to feel accepted and seem "cool".
Absolutely loved this episode with Janelle! Love these girls
My former coworker was found deceased without clothing and in the snow buried. He was walking home on a very cold night . Rip Luke 🙏
Hope you feel better Josh! Love you all, glad you're all here ❤
Good luck Josh, I just recovered from COVID so be safe out there
After all this time, there are actually people still believing in COVID 😢
@@tiktak4773 facts might hurt our feelings but we still need them.
this is my absolute favorite podcast!! love y'all
Im glad yall are talking about this case ❤
Janelle is a great co host! I’ve always loved her on the podcast and the sesh ❤
OMG, I've been waiting forever for this story! Thank you!
What if…. Andrew was on something and thought Josh was gonna “snitch” pulled the knife, made him strip (wired) , they struggled and Andrew thought he killed him and put him in the fireplace… blocked it off to hide it, but he didn’t die and the only way out was up…?
Idk if I missed it but was the cabin empty and locked up. If he was trying to get in through the chimney and got stuck, and over the years things got moved in front of the fireplace. People are in and out over the years someone could have picked up the clothes and set them aside.
This family is so resilient. My heart goes to them
Feel better soon Josh
Hey Thanks for filling in..😀 and I hope you're on the mend,Josh!!
I am so sad about this. The fact that the counter was moved to the front of the fireplace shortly before the smell started makes me wonder if someone put him there.
wouldn’t “santa claus style” suggest feet first? not head first? also, if someone was consciously thinking about gaining access through a chimney from the roof you would have to consider the possibility of getting stuck and needing a way to get out which wouldn’t be easy or likely even possible going head first from the roof. then the alternative of leaving the cabin through the chimney, how? by doing a freaking handstand lifting himself and climbing backwards upside down? how are either of those honestly thought possible?
I love your podcast! I would love to see you guys talk about the disappearance of Brian Shaffer. His case is so crazy and baffling. It would really be incredible if you had a guest speak who was with him that night. Or someone who knows his case very well. Maybe his brother. Or Meredith Reed. If they would ever want to speak publicly. You guys have an amazing podcast!
Ahhh yayyyyy! Been waiting on a video 🤩🤩
I am really shocked that he went down the chimney head first though… that’s the weirdest part to me
Why weren't his clothes found originally when searching for him? Wouldn't you have searched an abandoned cabin less than a mile from his house?
When youre a free spirit and a generally good person and someone who is your " friend" is an intimdating person, you sometimes just give in and do things that dont make sense. I think he got dared to first take a substance and then after that got dared or forced to climb up the chimney and his "friend" didnt care or wanted him to get stuck and left.
Either way, the laziness of the police department. The unprofessionalism of the coroner is unacceptable and Josh deserved better and the family deserves real answers.
even a bad acid trip could cause him to go into the chimney you never know how it will affect you, also following his brothers death experimenting with drugs wouldn't be that crazy. I think andrew possibly gave him the drugs?
Something that makes sense to me is that he was not alone in that cabin. Whoever was with him maybe tried to SA him, there was a struggle (can’t prove because of decomp) then in a ditch effort to get away went for the chimney? He got stuck then maybe his attacker moved the bar to block him in? So sad anyway you might make sense of. Praying for his family. ❤
I was thinking something along these lines too especially given Andrew had a history of getting triggered for an unknown reason and killing a guy while the guy showered.
I cannot imagine what his parents went through. My heart absolutely breaks for them.
I'm so glad you guys went back to basics. I stopped watching for a moment, but I'm so happy to see just the three of you doing the best as you always do. Feel better Josh
Wow. Thank you guys for covering this.
So I had heard about this one before because of the nature of Josh’s case but didn’t know all their inner details until this video. Just so sad and bizarre. Also, Janelle and Kendall did a fantastic job with this one, they always present so well together.
Ugh! How could they assume it was an accident?! This really angers me, he's found in a wall..... seriously
Feel better Josh!
You guys are amazing...thank you for doing a video! Wooohoooo love you Janelle ❤
Random, but I love that you and Janelle have such a great relationship & friendship as cousins! You two have such a nice vibe together. I don't even know the surnames of some of my cousins..