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Back to A Different Kind of Star [1].

What Was Neil Strauss Doing When Adea Shabani Disappeared?

Adea Shabani disappeared on Hollywood Boulevard while Neil Strauss was five miles away, interviewing snowboarder Shaun White about an Olympic win. White's gold medal was on the table. Strauss, hearing the call about Adea, says he was freaking out over a tiny piece of metal while something much worse may have been happening.

His usual Rolling Stone assignments were a different job. He had ridden motorcycles with Tom Cruise, visited rocket factories with Elon Musk, and shopped for Pampers with Snoop Dogg, then written about hanging out with them. He did not investigate crime or missing people. The Adea Shabani call changed the job.

Transcript

A Different Kind of Star [1] ·

To Live and Die in LA

More from this episode

  1. What Is the Premise of This PodcastThe next few episodes document recent events of an investigation regarding a missing 25-year-old aspiring actress named, Adea Shabani.
  2. What Does Rolling Stone Magazine Assign Their Journalists to DoThey assign their journalists to ride motorcycles, go to factories, or shop with celebrities. Strauss will then write what it’s like to hang out with them.
  3. Where Was Adea Shabani Last SeenIt’s reported that she was last seen on surveillance in Hollywood at a coffee shop called Rise and Grind. Her last communication was with her friends.
  4. How Could Strauss Make a Difference in Shabani’s CaseBy reporting on this missing investigation in an article, piece, or podcast, he believes that he can make a difference to her family after the media has died…
  5. What’s a Good Sign That You’re Close to the TruthStrauss has been receiving death threats and warnings for him to not post the podcasts.
  6. What Does Adea’s Mother, Nora, Think About the SituationShe believes that Adea knows that she’s there in her apartment. She is also convinced that she is the only person that Adea wants to see right now.
  7. What Item Is Most Notable in Adea’s ApartmentAside from all her posts of movies and celebrities, on her wall is a white board of phrases. Written under is three words, “Zest for life.”
  8. Why Is Strauss Suspicious About Adea’s FriendsHe feels that they are all holding back more than what they’re comfortable to share with him.
  9. Why Does Neil Strauss Think It Is Odd That Ivan Controls Adea Shabani's Phone Records?On To Live and Die in LA, Adea Shabani's ex-boyfriend Ivan holds her phone data.
  10. What Was Adea’s Strange Request to a FriendShe writes in the message, “Baby, do you know where I can buy candles, red ones?” That was the last time Adea communicated with anyone before she disappeared.
  11. What Kind of Information Has Been Gathered So FarThe only suspicious person that Strauss has spoken to is her ex-boyfriend, whom we are calling Ivan to keep his identity private.
  12. What Is the Call That Strauss ReceivesOne of Adea’s friends, Angel, received an anonymous call that he saw Adea being put into the bed of a pickup truck that was outside her apartment.

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