Boston’s Vanishing Men: The Smiley Face Killer Theory | The Search Podcast Ep. 9

Presented by Dave’s Hot Chicken, this episode of The Search investigates the chilling mystery behind the so-called “Smiley Face Killer” theory — a string of unexplained drownings and disappearances of young men found in and around waterways across the country, including several cases in the Boston area.

For more than two decades, investigators, journalists, and online communities have debated whether these incidents are tragic coincidences or evidence of a larger, coordinated pattern.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The pattern of eerily similar disappearances near rivers and harbors
• The origins of the “Smiley Face Killer” theory and its nationwide spread
• The unsettling clusters of cases across Boston and beyond
• Law enforcement skepticism vs. independent investigators’ findings
• Why this theory continues to spark fear, fascination, and controversy today

The Smiley Face mystery remains one of the most haunting modern urban legends — blurring the line between accident and conspiracy, and leaving one question that won’t go away: Are these tragedies connected, or is it all coincidence?

📌 The Search is brought to you by Dave’s Hot Chicken. New episodes drop every Monday.

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