On October 20, 2019, Madison County Dispatch in Kentucky got a call from Glenn Jackson who said he hadn’t heard from his wife for more than 24 hours.
But it wasn’t an emergency, he said. Ella had gone off before, sometimes for weeks at a time.
If Ella was just gone, there was nothing for police to do. No case. No investigation.
The next day, another call came in to 911 about Ella.
This one was from her adult son from a previous marriage asking for a welfare check.
Phillip hadn’t heard back from his mother in a few days and they normally spoke multiple times a day.
When officers arrived at the Jackson home, nothing looked out of place.
Later that evening, they spoke with Glenn Jackson.
Then they called Ella’s son Phillip who came to the house to talk.
He brought his mother’s ex-husband, Jason Hans, with him.
Something wasn’t right, but the investigators couldn’t put their finger on it.
So they started looking at the three men who knew Ella best.
To find out what happened, watch the full episode of “The Bluegrass Mystery,” now available on Peacock.
You can also watch on the NBC app or listen to the full episode on our podcast.
Then watch loved ones remember Ella as a devoted mother and supportive friend.
And learn about what happened to Alex Jackson’s cat, Biscuit, after he moved away from Richmond.
Hear how Jason Hans is working to pass a bill in Kentucky to allow birth parents to be included on adopted children’s birth certificates at the request of the court, the adoptive parents, or the adopted child.
Sergeant Greg McDonald of the Prince George’s County, Maryland, Police Department, takes Blayne through the crime scene where Jason’s first wife, 26-year-old Irina Hans, was shot to death on October 12, 2002. More than 20 years later, her case is still unsolved.
Then go behind the scenes with Blayne and Andrea Canning on this week’s episode of Talking Dateline. You can also watch Talking Dateline on Peacock, YouTube, or by subscribing to the NBC News app.
