MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories

As Seen on TV (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)

March 30, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

In March 2016, two friends in Lunel, France, watched a true crime TV episode about a man missing from nearby Sète. One friend abruptly stood, paced, and muttered—revealing knowledge that unraveled the case. The story traces hospital janitor Patrick Isouar's disappearance after a date, exposing a revenge plot through patient investigation.

Patrick's Struggles and Final Day

Patrick Isouar, 49, had endured years of hardship: divorce after striking his wife while drunk, loss of custody of 12-year-old daughter Alabama, worsening alcoholism, gambling debts from his janitor job, and an affair with coworker Nadej Shen, who later died by suicide—angering her husband, hairstylist Remy Shen. Recently reconnecting with younger ex-date Audrey Louvet, Patrick rushed from work on June 23, 2014, on his scooter to meet her at a scenic park near Sète's cliffs and caves, locking his phone inside. Eager for the outing before Alabama's dance recital, he took Audrey's hand for a short walk. He never returned; his scooter stayed parked overnight.

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What you'll learn

1 (00:00) **Intro Hook** - Two friends watch true crime TV about local missing person, one reacts strangely
2 (02:10) **Patrick's Troubled Life** - 49-year-old hospital janitor rushes from work on scooter for date and daughter's recital
3 (04:48) **Date at Park** - Patrick locks phone in scooter, walks hand-in-hand with excited Audrey toward scenic cliffs and caves
4 (05:16) **Brother's Search Begins** - Mark gets worried call from mother, learns Patrick missed work, home, recital
5 (06:35) **Scooter Discovered** - Mark finds abandoned scooter at park entrance after tip from search party
6 (07:57) **Detective Verrier Takes Over** - Senior investigator arrives two weeks later to stalled missing persons case
7 (13:00) **Ex-Wife and Daughter Interview** - Claude confirms Patrick's dad role but reveals drinking/gambling; Alabama recounts tunnel package handoff

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

One night in March of 2016, two friends sat on a couch in Lunel, France, watching a true crime show on TV. The episode hit close to home – literally – because it was about a missing person who had vanished just miles from where they lived. Suddenly, in the middle of the show, one of the friends stood up and started pacing around the room, muttering to themselves. The other friend asked what was wrong… and they were not ready for the answer.

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