Episode 353: Laura Van Ryn & Whitney Cerak

Whitney Cerak and Laura van Ryn were involved in a tragic accident in April of 2006. They were both students at Taylor University in Indiana, when a van they were riding in collided with a semi truck a top speed and several people were killed instantly. In the aftermath, a mistake was discovered, leading to a heartbreaking revelation for both the Cerak and Van Ryn families. Whitney and Laura’s story gained significant media attention and raised discussions about identity and loss. Their experiences were later chronicled in books and a documentary, exploring themes of forgiveness and resilience.

Find the book here: https://a.co/d/bl5Zuri

Sources for this episode:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/mistaken-identity-has-family-keeping-vigil-over-wrong-woman-1.604391

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23824767/

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2016/04/28/cerak-vanryn-mistaken-identity-taylor-university/83639026/

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2016/04/25/taylor-university-remembers-case-mistaken-identity-10-years-later/83522446/

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23849928

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2016/04/28/the-day-that-my-life-changed-woman-celebrates-10-year-anniversary-of-her-own-funeral/

https://www.14news.com/story/4970780/crews-remove-wrong-victim-from-grave/

https://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/a-heartbreaking-case-of-mistaken-identity/all

https://www.today.com/parents/families-bonded-over-emotional-mistaken-identity-case-find-strength-faith-t44121

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2016/04/28/cerak-vanryn-mistaken-identity-taylor-university/83639026/

https://www.today.com/news/families-speak-about-switched-identity-ordeal-1C9015997

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23849928

https://www.today.com/news/victim-mistaken-identity-draws-faith-it-1C9013815

https://pillars.taylor.edu/chapel-2015-16/81/