On an aside: it is VERY obvious what the racial demographic is of those complaining about the highlighting of racial bias in coverage and how it affects investigations lol. Living in the SWFL area and having worked in Collier County it is sadly unsurprising that this is how these 2 cases were handled. The toxic good old southern boys culture and “nice racism” is bad enough that I avoid Naples like it is radioactive. I’m thankful there are some reporters who are using their platforms to highlight this issue. The reporting was in-depth, fair and balanced. She spent time exploring the cases from multiple angles, including mathematical probabilities. Overall, a very compelling story. My only complaint is that it could be repetitive. I also felt like more time should have been spent investigating Collier County government and Collier County Sheriff. I guarantee there are many more examples of racial bias getting in the way of doing good work, and perhaps through that investigation they could have found a larger trend about these local authorities which end of itself is a great story.

As someone born and raised in Naples, this case has always been in the back of my mind. It is unforgivable that people are just now learning about it. SWFL, Naples in particular, has always been well known to cover theses types of crimes due to the extreme wealth the town attracts. We all know what happened to these men.

To me it’s obvious what happened the officer Steven hit on both men and propositioned them. He mentioned how handsome they were and they were soft spoken he sounded like he’s one of those kind of men

This story is an interesting one. Separate incidents of two men disappearing and the last known interaction was with a law enforcement officer. However, with little evidence and no other theories investigated by the host, this podcast became extremely difficult to listen to. This podcast turned out to be less about the two men’s disappearance and more about the host constantly bring up race and missing white women. Perhaps the podcast host should have produced a podcast about the lack of media coverage of missing non-white women rather than the this story. The host has an obvious bias and she allowed it to influence her reporting. To be fair I did listen all the way to the Tyler Perry Episode, but could not make it past the beginning. I listen to a lot of similar podcasts, but this one is to boring and bias to complete.

Well-reported podcast focused on a sad, sad, story.

This was one of the most biased podcasts I have ever listened to. Please do better with presenting a fair and impartial story without your bias and opinion dominating the podcast. Like everyone, I of course want to know what happened to these young men and if there was a crime-let’s hold the responsible party accountable. BUT, you basically participated in harassment (he should sue you) and annihilation of a cop’s life, job and reputation for what amounted to a bizarre coincidence at best. This is shameful to him and the young men’s families who placed their hope with you.

This extremely well reported podcast highlights the extreme inequality in missing people cases. It also hits different when it's your own neighborhood. My heart goes out to the 2 families. Thank you for telling these stories.

This was great reporting of a really tragic set of events. I truly hope those men are found someday to give their families closure. I appreciated how the story was laid out and the issues with media and police in this case were highlighted

Thank you for bringing attention to such a disturbing case. We don’t often hear the stories of missing young men. Our media needs to do better bringing stories like this to the national scene. I hope they find Felipe and Terrence’s bodies so they can finally charge Steven.

The reporter did a great job on the podcast of this story! It’s unbelievable that two young men can disappear after being in the back of a same police officer’s car. Still no justice can be served for them nor their families! It’s Incomprehensible why the whole state isn’t seeking justice for their families! The reporter herself admits all news coverage of this case was weak! One of the best reported true stories I’ve heard.

Great story! Well told and crafted. Great production values —- creative, super interesting and engaging!

This is a story that breaks my heart but it's important to know and understand what's happening in our country. I am heartened that there was some attention brought to these two lives lost, but disappointed that the deputy wasn't investigated appropriately or completely. I appreciate the reporting and recounting of the facts. Keep up the good work! Thank you.

This is a terribly tragic story, in which every single entity with the authority or opportunity to aid the victims fails to do so, right down to the lawyers hired by Tyler Perry. It’s a bizarre story. The saddest part is that no one — not the sheriff’s department, not the press, no one— found these men important enough to pursue their cases when they first went missing; and in the end, Terrence’s own lawyers didn’t find him important enough to timely file his motion for trial. They were too busy with higher profile cases. And that’s the horrid truth of the story. It’s just tragic malpractice from stem to stern. The last episode ends with nostalgic discussions about hope still existing for justice. If we’re down to hoping for a deathbed confession or judgment from the Bema Seat, hope on this side is gone. It’s sad. The reporting here is passionate, but there are at least 3 too many episodes for the dearth of evidence to discuss. It’s notable how extensive the sheriff’s department’s investigation into Calkins was. It came too late, but it was thorough. This was a noble effort, but I can’t recommend this podcast to anyone.

While I don’t celebrate crime again say others I do appreciate being well informed about societies corruption. The story is developed in a way that encourages binging.

It’s unfortunate that this story is told in such a biased manner. I feel for the families involved. I can’t imagine the pain of having a loved one go missing. However, the focus on this deputy seems like tunnel vision driven by emotion over facts. There may be some inconsistencies with his account of his interactions with the two men, but nothing truly damming and there isn’t any evidence provided to link him to their disappearances. I hope one day the truth comes out, whatever it is, but after listening to all 8 episodes, I’m not convinced this officer had anything to do with it. I feel bad for all he’s had to endure as result of the media attention. He’s been proven guilty in a trial by media with no facts to reach that verdict. Sad for everyone involved

This is a maddening yet heartbreaking story with no concrete conclusion.

Any incident or circumstance that involves Ben Crump in any way should be treated with suspicion and dismissed. Ben Crump is a race bating liar of the 1st order

It was well done, but it seemed like an attempt to make a story where perhaps none existed. It’s interesting that the host pointed out that there are 30,000 missing people in Florida per year, and she spent so much time covering two cases where there is no evidence that anything happened while failing to cover or mention the other 29,998 people who are missing. It is suspicious that both men went missing after interactions with Deputy Calkins, but there is no evidence that he did anything, and two judgments confirmed that. The host blamed the pandemic on Crump’s office failing to file paperwork on time, though they had missed two deadlines pre-pandemic and insisted that Calkins come in-person despite the fact that it was the early days of the pandemic. It is scary that people can make accusations and sue someone without evidence and then blame a spurious variable when there is a negative outcome. I feel bad for Terrence’s mom, but there is no evidence of anything. If Calkins had a pattern of making people disappear, it likely would have been evident prior to that and persisted after, and there is nothing to suggest that happened. Overall it was a well done podcast, but time could have perhaps been better spent investigating missing brown or black people in which some evidence existed that could help find them.

This podcast is very well done, thoughtful, and important work. The voices, background music and audio clips from interviews, all are quality. May it bring more interest and eventually closure.

You need to listen to this podcast. This is amazing journalism and the two missing men’s story needs to be told.

Thank you for delivering such important information to the world.

Detailed. Heart breaking. Anger inducing. Hopefully with this podcast, someone will come forward with more information regarding these two murders.

Where is justice in America for these gentlemen. I truly feel sad for their families and hope they find justice. It is appalling that this is accepted and allowed in America.

Thank you for this podcast 💔

Excellent reporting presented in an interesting format. Please listen to all 8 episodes!

I was so happy to find this podcast. I live in Naples, Fl. and I was here when the main story broke. I have shared the story on all of my social media accounts Multiple times over the years as I see new articles or just repost the old ones (old ones more often than not because the story has lost traction sadly). When these young men disappeared I was that young, “pretty”, white woman that would have garnered nationwide attention if it had been me that vanished without a trace. I am aware of that and honestly it makes me sick to think that “All Lives Matter” is far from the truth. Everyone that I have spoken to over the years agrees that the overwhelming circumstantial evidence in this case is more than enough to charge Officer Calkins in the murder of these two men, but sadly this has not happened. This podcast is well done in every way and is worth your time to listen. All I ask is that when you are done, come back here, leave your thoughts and opinion and share it with your friends and family. Maybe we can find someone that has information that brings this disgraced officer to Justice. Thank you NPR for bringing this story to light.

I listen to several true crime podcasts, the key to a successful story is to be impartial! Right from the start the story teller uses the term undocumented, when in fact he is here illegally! The narrator paints a subtle picture this is entirely the police’s fault! Tell the story and let the listener determine what happened! Sorry I cannot get past 1st episode, no surprise it’s from NPR which is a left wing media company!

The podcast examines the disappearance of two young men of color, both seen for the last time in the backseat of a Collier County deputy’s cruiser near Naples, Florida.

This show is well-worth the listen for many reasons. First, it is important to bring awareness to the stories of Felipe Santos and Terrance Williams in hopes of seeking justice for them and their families. Second, and the part I appreciated most, is the way Janine Zeitlin chose to tell it. I appreciated her honest and critical examination of the media’s role in missing persons cases. The facts of the story have so many mysteries and holes and unanswered questions that may never be resolved. This story is also about the failings of our system of police investigations, news coverage, and justice system—shortcomings that exist even without malicious intent or outright corruption.

And it’s important work. I hope there is a conclusion. We will see.

This deputy is guilty as heck and everyone knows it. I pray that we will finally learn what happened to these men.

I found this podcast tedious. I understand why people think the cop is suspicious, but there isn’t much to go on to think he actually did it. The details get repeated to the point where I shouted I GET IT. I feel awful for the families for not finding any answers after so long, and my heart goes out to them. But, this podcast seems to only focus on the cop rather than examine other possibilities. Also, to be honest, this podcast was boring.

Thank you for putting this story out there. It had to be frustrating at some points for sure.

To look into the possibility of these men being sold into human trafficking. To me that makes much more sense than this deputy murdering them. When asked if he killed them he could honestly say no if that was the case. And a special thank you to the fools whose keyboard auto populates words like “woke”, “illegal”, and “liberal media” among others. If I ever think my views might be too liberal, you remind me that I have no choice but to overcompensate for your ignorance.

This podcast is rife with subjectivity. The facts are thoroughly reported but the author does not encourage the listener to draw their own conclusion. This is particularly problematic when reporting on true crime. Be better.

There has been a lot of trials where circumstantial evidence has been presented, and those people are in jail. Im not for defunding the police, but I am for reforming procedures. I was so angry during the deposition that the defendant laughed. As a mother, I would fight to the bitter end for resolution. I hope Your neighbors know what yOu did. If nothing else happens, I believe in Karma Law. Thank you Mr. Perry for Your assistance. My prior review of the defendant was probably a little harsh, hopefully this one gets posted.

I have been looking for something on this case for year, how can we blow this up and actually get results 😡😡😡

Very well investigated and reported podcast. I’m left with the question of why the family didn’t bring a legal malpractice case against Crump? If the wrongful death case would have been successful, why wouldn’t Crump and/or his malpractice insurance carrier be on the hook the pay the family what they would have gotten in the original suit? The podcast said there was no legal way forward after the appeal, but a malpractice case was (maybe still is) a possibility.

I have lived in Southwest Florida since 2003 and this is the first time I have really heard this story. Great reporting. Thank you

Sorry to say that this was a huge letdown. Nothing new was reported and nothing changed because of this podcast. Episode 6 is literally just an hour of her apologizing for being white…which was strange to hear.

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This is the most bizarre podcast I’ve ever listened to. I find it particularly disturbing when he lied about arresting the second guy at the cemetery and then changed his story later. Something is seriously wrong with this whole story, a different agency should have been called in to properly investigate this cop the minute the second guy disappeared. The cops screwed this one up.

Enjoyed the story telling and the investigative work. But where is episode 8? I don't see it anywhere.

Some of this is good reporting. Some is trash. Much is speculation with literal zero factual basis. She should flat out be ashamed of herself for contributing to being up the civil suit that was filed AND HE WAS FOUND NOT LIABLE. Maybe she mentions that part once. Shame on her. He was found not liable in arbitration, and then again finalized by the judge. And they need way less of a burden of proof, yet she bizarrely thinks they should charge the same man with murder. ZERO proof whatsoever. The mathematician in episode 5 was a joke. didn’t take into account sooo many things hat would affect the likelihood. Then the host acts like it is the word of God. Probably the single worst assumption I’ve seen made by a host in the truecrime genre. It is quite obvious that they couldn’t make a case any stronger than already there, and it just isn’t near enough to prosecute. So she decided to make a podcast based mostly off her agenda. Which is a joke considering she is the press and they have sat on this story for years. Sad, really.

They obviously worked hard at investigating this cold case. But it just seems there are many more immediate cases that are more worthy of all this time & effort-an illegal alien & a man who fathered 4 children by the age of 27, left them in TN to go to Fl to “start fresh” & pays no child support. Not to mention they have zero proof that this guy did anything; they are just harassing him at this point. And once you bring in Crump, everything loses all credibility. But, it was an interesting listen & I learned some things.

Really enjoyed the style and content of this podcast!! Hard working journalists searching for the truth in the disappearance of two men. I know the families of these missing men are eternally grateful for your efforts and dedication. Praying there will be more information to come and someone will be held accountable!!

I moved to Naples Florida in July 2003. Naples, Florida is home to the richest of the rich . Tourism plays a huge part on the economy ,if it’s not about dolphins and rainbows the Naples Daily News won’t cover it. When I heard what happened to Felipe Santos and Terrence Williams, I was blown away, and still am ..the nonexistent coverage of what happened to these two young family men was beyond unfathomable. The fact that people all over Florida and throughout the country weren’t blown away by what happened and how these two men were last seen in the backseat of the same deputy sheriffs police car was and still is unbelievable. Having Tyler Perry and attorney Ben Crump involved is huge ,though the fact that a Collier County judge threw out a civil suit during the height of the Covid pandemic because the plaintiffs filed a few days late is concerning. I still live in Naples Florida and I still think of Felipe Santos and Terence Williams regularly.. The Last Ride has given me a restored hope that Justice will be served. Hillary Hogue

This is a heartbreaking story for the families of the missing men. I’m glad for additional coverage shining light on their disappearance after so long. But, too many recent true crime podcasts start out with a particular agenda to tell a story. The producers seem to naively hope the smoking gun will come along the way. Thus far, this podcast is all unproven innuendo and seems to be fizzling out with no actual ending or support for the starting premise. It feels like the reporters started this story years ago, and then were too far in before they realized their narrative arc would not pan out so are trying desperately to repackage this as something different instead of having to tell their bosses nothing came of their reporting.

Awesome series. Style of story telling is captivating. Thank you NPR!

I really enjoyed this reporting. Binged all 6 eps in one day!Keep up the hood work. Im hoping for some updates.