Two hosts with personal connections to missing persons cases launch a podcast that looks at the overlooked details before a disappearance

Quick Take

This is a promotional episode introducing Crime House's new podcast The Final Hours, hosted by Sarah Turney (whose sister disappeared in 2001) and investigator Kourtney Nichole. If you're curious about a true crime show that focuses specifically on the timeline before disappearances rather than the investigation after, this 46-minute intro gives you a sense of the hosts' approach and lived experience. Worth a listen if you're shopping for a new missing persons podcast.

A Different Angle on Missing Persons Cases

Most true crime podcasts about disappearances follow a familiar pattern: someone goes missing, then we dissect the investigation, the suspects, and (if we're lucky) the resolution. The Final Hours pitches itself as something different—a show that zooms in on the moments before someone vanishes. The routines, the timelines, the seemingly mundane details that only become significant in hindsight.

It's an interesting premise, particularly because both hosts bring personal stakes to the table. Sarah Turney isn't just a true crime enthusiast; her sister Alissa disappeared in 2001, and Sarah has spent years advocating for missing and murdered victims. Kourtney Nichole describes herself as both a true crime storyteller and investigator who witnessed how crime reshapes families. That combination of advocacy and investigation suggests a show that won't treat these cases as entertainment puzzles but as human tragedies with real consequences.

What This Introduction Offers

Since this episode serves as a trailer for the new show, it's transparent in its purpose: getting you to subscribe to The Final Hours. Based on the episode description alone, we don't get a sample case or a deep dive into their methodology. What we do get is context about the hosts' backgrounds and the show's angle.

The 46-minute runtime is unusually long for a typical podcast trailer, which suggests this introduction likely includes more substantial content than a standard 3-5 minute promo—possibly a preview of their first case, extended interviews with the hosts, or a deeper explanation of what makes their approach distinct. Without access to the full audio, it's impossible to say definitively, but the length indicates they're giving potential listeners a real taste of the show rather than a quick pitch.

The Lived Experience Factor

What potentially sets The Final Hours apart is that both hosts have skin in the game. Sarah Turney's activism around her sister's case has made her a recognizable voice in the missing persons advocacy community. When someone with that background co-hosts a podcast, it changes the tone—there's less risk of the sensationalism or detachment that can plague true crime content.

Kourtney Nichole's background as both investigator and someone personally affected by crime adds another layer. The combination suggests a show that might balance emotional intelligence with investigative rigor, looking at cases through the lens of people who understand what families go through when someone doesn't come home.

Worth Your Time?

If you're already a listener of Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, this cross-promotional episode is a natural extension—both shows live in the Crime House network's true crime universe. But even if you've never heard of the parent show, this introduction serves as a decent on-ramp if you're curious about The Final Hours.

The real question is whether the show's premise—focusing on the hours and days before a disappearance—can sustain itself across multiple episodes without becoming repetitive. The best missing persons podcasts find ways to make each case feel distinct while honoring the victims' humanity. Based on this introduction, Turney and Nichole seem positioned to do that, but the proof will be in the episodes themselves.

If you're selective about your true crime listening and want to know whether The Final Hours deserves a spot in your rotation, this 46-minute introduction should give you enough to make that call. If you're generally skeptical of true crime podcasts that exploit tragedy for entertainment, the hosts' personal connections to the subject matter might make this one feel different. Listen to the intro, see if their approach resonates, and decide if those Monday episodes are worth adding to your queue.

The Final Hours releases new episodes every Monday on major podcast platforms.