Episode 54: Where is Cindy Song?

In this episode of Super SUS, we dive into the haunting and still-unsolved disappearance of Hyun Jong “Cindy” Song — a bright, outgoing Penn State student who vanished without a trace after Halloween night in 2001. More than two decades later, the questions surrounding her case continue to unsettle her community and leave investigators searching for answers.

Meeting Cindy Song

Cindy Song was a South Korean–born Penn State student known for her creativity, ambition, and warm personality. After moving to the U.S. for college, she built a life filled with friendships, art, and academics. Her disappearance would become one of the most perplexing cases in Pennsylvania history.

The Night of Her Disappearance

On Halloween night 2001, Cindy attended a costume party with friends at Player’s Nite Club in State College. Dressed in a bunny costume, she spent the night celebrating before heading to a friend’s apartment for a short time. Around 4:00 a.m. on November 1st, a friend dropped her off at her apartment complex. That was the last confirmed sighting of Cindy.

Inside her apartment, police later found her backpack, cellphone, and some items she was believed to have worn — but her purse, costume, and essentials like her ID and credit cards were missing. There were no signs of forced entry or struggle.

The Investigation Begins

At first, police questioned whether Cindy might have voluntarily stayed out or taken a spontaneous trip. That theory faded quickly. Cindy never missed classes, jobs, or plans — and she was looking forward to an upcoming Britney Spears concert. When she disappeared without using her bank accounts or contacting anyone, the situation escalated from puzzling to alarming.

Community members rallied, organizing large-scale searches and awareness efforts as police worked through limited leads.

Uncovering Leads

Over the years, several theories surfaced — from abduction to someone luring her from her apartment. One widely discussed lead involved convicted criminal Hugo Selenski, whose associate once claimed Cindy had been taken and killed. Despite intense investigation, authorities never found evidence tying Selenski to Cindy’s disappearance, and the claim was later recanted.

Other lines of inquiry explored Cindy’s recent breakup, possible unknown acquaintances, or someone crossing paths with her after she was dropped off. But no theory has ever been proven.

A Family’s Fight for Answers

Cindy’s family remained active in the search for years, working with investigators and media outlets to keep the case alive. Her parents provided DNA to assist with potential identifications, and her loved ones continued pushing for renewed attention long after the initial search efforts slowed.

An Unending Quest

Cindy Song’s disappearance remains one of the most chilling and heartbreaking unsolved cases of the early 2000s. With no body, no confirmed suspect, and no reliable eyewitnesses, the truth of what happened that night is still unknown.

In this episode, we walk through the known timeline, the major theories, and the lingering questions that continue to keep this case open — and deeply haunting.