Initial Disappearances
In October 2019, Glenn Jackson reported his wife Ella missing, followed by their adult son Phillip the next day.
12Talking Dateline
The Bluegrass Mystery: Investigating the Disappearance of Ella and Phillip Jackson
Andrea Canning and Blayne Alexander discuss the investigation into the 2019 disappearances of Ella Jackson and her son, focusing on the evidence against husband Glenn Jackson.
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Talking Dateline: The Bluegrass Mystery
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Ask naturally. GenPod can find a related episode—or make a focused explainer when the right one does not exist.Key takeaways
What to know before you press play.
Investigation Focus
Investigators focused on Glenn Jackson after interviewing him, Phillip, and Ella's ex-husband Jason Hans, citing Glenn's odd behavior and Ella's own words.
3Arrest and Trial
Test results confirmed investigators' suspicions, leading to Glenn's arrest, though a discovery just before trial changed the case dynamics.
45Victim Perspective
The discussion includes an exclusive clip with one of Ella's friends, highlighting her role as a devoted mother to her young son, Alex.
6Ask GenPod next
Keep the question moving.
“What discovery changed the case just before the trial?”
“What was the outcome for Alex after his mother's death?”
“How did Jason Hans's testimony influence the investigation?”
Background reading
The context behind the episode.
Questions
Questions to carry into the episode.
Who else went missing shortly after Ella?
Ella's adult son, Phillip, was reported missing the day after Ella.
2Why did investigators focus on Glenn Jackson?
Investigators focused on Glenn based on his odd behavior and Ella's own words after interviewing him, Phillip, and Jason Hans.
3What confirmed the investigators' focus on Glenn?
Test results confirmed the investigators' thinking, leading to Glenn's arrest.
4Experts
Voices named in the source.
Sources and disclosure
Where this guide comes from.
This guide is based on the episode 'Talking Dateline: The Bluegrass Mystery' published on 2026-07-15. For domestic violence resources, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is cited.
- Publisher show notes
Andrea Canning sits down with Blayne Alexander to discuss her episode “The Bluegrass Mystery.” In October 2019, Glenn Jackson reported his wife, Ella, missing.
- Publisher show notes
The next day, her adult son, Phillip, did the same.
- Publisher show notes
After interviewing Glenn, Phillip, and Ella's ex-husband and close friend, Jason Hans, investigators focused on Glenn, based on his odd behavior and Ella's own words.
- Publisher show notes
Test results confirmed their thinking, and police arrested Glenn.
- Publisher show notes
But just before trial, a discovery changed everything.
- Publisher show notes
Blayne shares an exclusive clip with one of Ella's friends, who remembers her as a devoted mother to her young son, Alex.
- Publisher show notes
Blayne and Andrea also discuss the surprising and touching outcome for Alex after his mother’s death.
- Publisher show notes
Plus, we answer your questions from social media.
- Publisher show notes
Have a question for Talking Dateline? DM us @DatelineNBC or leave a voicemail at (212) 413-5252. Your question could be featured in an upcoming episode.
- Publisher show notes
Listen to the full episode of “The Bluegrass Mystery”: https://swap.fm/l/thebluegrassmystery
- Publisher show notes
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org
- Publisher show notes
Learn more about the unsolved case of Irina Hans: https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/video/the-unsolved-shooting-of-irina-hans-266495045534
- Publisher show notes
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