The Sodder Children (1945) – A Chilling Mystery That Still Haunts America

Some stories never die. The tale of the Sodder children is one of those. It’s a haunting blend of tragedy, mystery, and maddening unanswered questions. A Christmas Eve fire in 1945 wiped out part of a family—or did it? Decades later, we’re still asking: What really happened to the Sodder children? Who Were the Sodders? Meet George and Jennie Sodder George Sodder was born Giorgio Soddu in Tula, Sardinia, Italy. Like many immigrants, he came to the U.S. searching for opportunity. Hard-working and stubborn, George built a life in Fayetteville, West Virginia, where he and his wife, Jennie, raised ten children. The Family Dynamic: 10 Children, One Big Household The Sodder household was full of life. From school events to business affairs—George owned a trucking company—the family was deeply woven into the community. But it wasn’t all perfect. George was outspoken, especially about his dislike for Benito Mussolini. That may seem irrelevant—until you consider what happened next. The Ame...