Aimee Semple McPherson, an influential Pentecostal evangelist, was a major figure in American religious life during the early 20th century. Known for her captivating sermons and modern revival meetings, she attracted thousands of followers and was considered one of the first female evangelists to achieve widespread prominence. On May 18, 1926, she vanished while supposedly swimming at the beach in Venice, California. Her disappearance led to a sensational media frenzy, drawing attention from both supporters and critics alike.

Initially, the search for McPherson involved local authorities and thousands of fans searching the area. Her absence sparked rampant speculation and theories about her fate, and her supporters fervently prayed for her safe return. After 27 days, she reappeared, claiming she had been kidnapped by a group of men. However, her story was filled with inconsistencies, leading many to doubt her account. The circumstances of her disappearance sparked public intrigue and polarized opinions about her character and ministry.

The fallout from her disappearance had significant ramifications, both for her personal career and the broader society. It led to increased scrutiny of her life and ministry, forcing her to navigate challenging questions about faith, credibility, and media influence. Despite the skepticism surrounding her return, she managed to regain a measure of public support, continuing her evangelistic work, but the incident left a lasting impact on her legacy and the role of women in religion during that era.