Spooky Season Series Selection Part 2 - Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

Austin Price, Editor in Chief  

In continuing my Spooky Season Series Selection, we have another series created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan for Netflix. Today’s selection is the second season of the Monster series and focuses on a controversial and highly debated case. The disputation of this case was mainly due to the extensive media coverage and exploitation of all involved through the televised process. In a harrowing account of childhood abuse and the greed of the American Dream, comes the biased story of the Menendez brothers. Today’s Spooky Season Series Selection is Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.  

On September 19, 2024, nearly two years after the show’s debut, the second installment in the Monster anthology series hit the streams. The second series centers on the 1989 murders of José and Kitty Menendez. The murders were later determined to be parricides, as the couple was killed by their own sons, Lyle and Erik Menendez. Nicholas Alexander Chavez portrays the eldest brother, Lyle, while Cooper Koch embodies the younger brother Erik. Javiar Bardem plays the head of the house, José, and Chloë Sevigny accompanies him as José’s wife, Kitty.  

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story incorporates the Rashomon effect. The Rashomon effect is the phenomenon of the unreliability of eyewitnesses. It is used by the show’s creators, Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, to allow viewers to form their own interpretations of the story, by presenting key events through unreliable narrators. The narrators of the series are the brothers, Lyle and Erik, the leaders of the family, José and Kitty, Erik's lead defense attorney, Leslie Abramson, Erik's therapist, Dr. Jerome Oziel,  Dr. Oziel's mistress, Judalon Smyth, and Dominick Dunne, a journalist whose biased perception of the boys’ story was published in Vanity Fair.  

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story has received a plethora of criticism, mainly due to the overly sexual themes seen in the episodes. While childhood sexual abuse is one of the main aspects of the Menendez brothers' case, many argue that the explicit sexual content and portrayal of the characters discount the severity of the issue in the true story. Additionally, the show garnered controversy for implying an incestuous relationship between the brothers. This relationship has been denounced by both Erik and Lyle. However, Lyle later expressed gratitude for its depiction of child abuse, that gave a new light to his side of the story, and a better reasoning for his motive.  

The series has 9 full episodes, each of which bounces between featuring different viewpoints and accounts of those involved. The soundtrack, costumes, set design, and mannerisms of each episode clearly demonstrate the spirit of 1989, when the crime took place. Out of the 9 episodes, halfway through the series, at episode 5, is The Hurt Man.  

Directed by Michael Uppendahl and written by Ian Brennan, episode 5 is a one-shot episode that features the magnificent talents of Cooper Koch and Ari Gaynor. The episode centers on a conversation between Erik, played by Koch, and his lead defense attorney, Leslie Abramson, played by Gaynor. This conversation reveals Erik’s account of the atrocities committed by his father, while his mother, aware of the situation, neglected to protect him. In a haunting conversation formatted in a confessional style, Erik expresses the nightmares of his past. Leslie serves as a mentor, guardian, and safe space for him to finally relieve himself of the horrors of his childhood.  

The series has gained various opinions from the public. Some were swayed by the passionate performances of Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez. Their depiction of the brothers garnered an unexpected sympathy from the current generation. This is due to the current generation’s more inclusive and empathetic outlook on life, as well as our distrust of the legal system. With this outlook, Erik and Lyle’s stories were finally told to a captivated audience, bringing their supposed injustice in punishment and time served under scrutiny. As a member of Generation Z myself, I will say that the performances of Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez were heartfelt and raw and gave a voice to the unexpected victims of the story.  

Unlike the first season of the series, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, season 2 is much more entertaining and is written for audience appeal. Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, was written in a no-nonsense way, clearly painting Dahmer as the villain, with no room for debate. Season 2 of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, is a more Hollywood studded, glamorized version of true crime, blurring the line between hero and villain and skewing the perception of truth and reality.  

Despite the multiple controversies, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story achieved global commercial success, debuting as the number one series on Netflix worldwide, the most-viewed streaming content on the Nielsen Streaming Chart, and the third most-watched Netflix series in the second half of 2024. Critics and academy members praised the performances of the actors involved. At the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, it earned 11 nominations, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Koch. For the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, nominations included Miniseries or Television Film for Koch, and Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film for Bardem.  

With the incredible success of the first two seasons of Monster, the series was again renewed for a third season, Monster: The Ed Gein Story which was released on October 3rd, 2025. It stars Charlie Hunnam as murderer and graverobber Ed Gein. Tune in again next week for the third installment of Spooky Season Series Selection for analysis of Monster: The Ed Gein Story, along with more productions by Ryan Murphy.  

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is available to stream on Netflix.  

Spooky Season Series Selection Part 1 - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

Austin Price, Editor in Chief  

Spooky season is upon us! That means it’s time to pop some popcorn, curl up under a plaid blanket, and light a pumpkin spiced candle while watching a relaxing tv show. If you’re like me, this relaxing show involves gruesome crimes, obscene murders, and intense trials. As a spooky season enthusiast and true crime nerd, I understand the excitement of diving into a new series focused on some of the most horrific events imaginable. And so, to feed both my October loving soul, and satisfy my true crime craving, I am creating the ultimate list of TV series perfect for spooky season, all based on real events and true stories. Come with me as I provide you with the best content to consume as the leaves change and the costumes are purchased. Each installment of this series will highlight one of my favorite TV series that fits the macabre and mystery of spooky season. First up, we have Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.  

On September 21st, 2022, Netflix, Ryan Murphy, and Ian Brennan partnered to bring an unfiltered and raw look into the disgusting and perverted nature of one of America’s most notorious serial killers, Jeffrey Dahmer. Evan Peters stars as the infamous cannibal and has received countless accolades for his performance. The show was initially conceived to be a limited series, with the first and only season planned to follow the life and crimes of Jeffrey Dahmer. However, it was later renewed for a second and third season.   

Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is one of the most visually upsetting and intense depictions of Jeffrey Dahmer’s life. I have listened to countless podcasts and read tons of articles regarding his life, but I will say that Ryan Murphy brought the disturbing nature of Dahmer’s personality, and the repulsive nature of his crimes to the screen in a nightmarish way. As a lover of true crime, it takes a lot for me to actually recoil and truly be terrified by a case. However, I could not watch this series in one go, because of the realistic depictions of Dahmer’s confessions.  

Evan Peters is a genius in the titular role, and metamorphosizes into one of the most deranged and appalling serial killers in American history. His performance was recognized when Peters won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film.  Watching the TV drama gives a feeling of poison in one’s consciousness, as it carefully follows and exposes the crimes and actions of Dahmer, without holding anything back. Ryan Murphy approaches the Dahmer story without fear of repercussions and does not limit his exposure of Dahmer's life to being culturally sensitive and politically correct. While this approach has been criticized by many, I found it to be refreshing. The media is constantly monitoring and censoring aspects of true crime. While I understand this approach is done to respect the sensitivity of viewers, I’d argue that consumers deserve to truly be immersed in the hideous reality of killers to fully understand the severity of their crimes, and to fully emphasize with victims.  

Sharing the spotlight with Peters is Niecy Nash, who’s portrayal of Glenda Cleveland, Jeffrey's neighbor, resulted in the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. Nash’s character gives an often-suppressed side of the story, as an African American woman whose concerns over Dahmer’s behavior were repeatedly ignored by police. In this narrative, Nash brings awareness to the many victims of Dahmer that were considered minorities, and that did not initially receive the same levels of commitment and respect by authorities as some of his other victims did.  

Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story includes 10 full length episodes, following the timeline of crimes committed by Dahmer, and glimpses into the ending result of his behavior and court records regarding his accusations and charges. The show immediately made its way into all forms of digital media. The season rose to the number one spot on Netflix in the first week of its release. In the second week of its release, Netflix announced that Dahmer was its ninth most popular English-language TV show of all time, with 56 million households having viewed all 10 episodes.  

Following the gigantic success of an anthological look on Dahmer’s story, Netflix announced on November 7, 2022, that it had renewed Monster as an anthology series, with two further editions based on the lives of "other monstrous figures". These figures would later be revealed to be Erik and Lyle Menendez for Season 2, and Ed Gein for Season 3. Stay tuned for upcoming installments of Spooky Season Series Selection as both of these series will be covered and included.  

Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is available to stream on Netflix. 

The Murder of Gabby Petito: An Anxious Girlfriend's Worst Nightmare

Austin Price, Editor in Chief

WARNING: This article contains graphic content with descriptions of domestic violence, domestic abuse, murder, and suicide. Please read at your own discretion.  

Gabby Petitio was an all-American, Barbie Doll of a girl. From her bleach blonde hair to her bright blue eyes, with her tanned, clear skin, and thin build, Gabby was the “it” girl. With a picture-perfect physique, always complete with her signature smile, Gabby was the girl the rest of us wish we could be like. The girl the rest of us wish we could look like. The girl the rest of us wish we could act like. However, she is the girl that the rest of us do not want to die like. Gabrielle Venora Petito died sometime between August 27th and September 1st, 2021, at the hands of her fiancé, Brian Laundrie.  

Before we continue, I’d like to make a few things clear. First, Gabby Petito was a victim of domestic violence, emotional and verbal abuse, gaslighting, intimidation, and threats, all from her fiancé, Brian Laundrie. As you read this story, please remember something. Nothing that happened to Gabby was her fault. She did not choose her fate; she did not force the outcome to be the way it was. Gabby did not control her torturous end and deserves respect and understanding as we tell her story. Gabby did not deserve to die, and both she and her family should be given dignity, compassion, and love.  

Second, Brian Laundrie killed Gabby. There are many speculations, and unhinged conspiracy theories about the cause of Gabby’s death. But before we proceed, I need you all to understand that Brian is the reason Gabby is dead. Her death was not caused by natural causes, mental illnesses, or self-inflicted pain. Her death was caused by the savage brutality of a narcissistic, predatory abuser. Brian Laundrie is guilty, and his family helped him cover up his crime. The Laundrie Family are the villains in this story and should not be admired or pitied.  

Third, despite her demise, Gabby Petito is the hero of this story. Her surviving family are also heroes, but without Gabby’s guidance, they could not honor her with the same amount of progression, education, and awareness as they are now. Gabby Petito’s family created the Gabby Petito Foundation, designed to offer support, transparency, and advocacy for domestic violence victims and their families. The family operates with active efforts to prevent Gabby’s tragic ending from happening to another young girl and deserves support and respect in their efforts.  

With all of these things in mind, I encourage you to read on. To embrace this story with an open mind, an empathetic heart, and a non-judgmental attitude. Gabby’s story is a cautionary tale for many young people in abusive relationships. Her death should not be forgotten, nor should it be ridiculed. Rather, her death deserves our curiosity, sensitivity, and compassion.  

When I initially heard Gabby’s story, the first thing I thought of was myself. Sounds selfish, I know, but as an avid consumer of true crime, I often find myself listening to stories of murder and death and thinking “Oh that could never happen to me!”. However, as I listened to Gabby’s story, an insidious pool of dread flowed through me. Gabby was just like me. I am just like Gabby. Our characteristics, attributes, passions, and responses are uncanny to an unsettling degree. My story, and life, could have ended just as easily as Gabby’s. From her passions and dreams, to her anxieties and fears, I see myself in Gabby and that is why I want to tell her story with clarity, humanity, and fearlessness.  

Gabby Petito 

Gabrielle Venora Petito was an American travel blogger and pharmacy technician from Suffolk County, New York. Known by her friends and family as simply “Gabby”, she was born and raised in Blue Point, New York. With 6 younger siblings and half-siblings, Gabby was the ringleader in sibling shenanigans and was a ray of light in the family dynamic. Her sunshine personality gave her a large group of close friends, and many cherished high school memories. However, there was a snake in the grass in Gabby’s social circle. Enter Brian Laundrie.  

Brian Laundrie 

Brian Laundrie grew up less than two miles from Gabby Petito, whom he met when he was a junior and she was a sophomore at Bayport Blue Point High School. The couple began dating in March 2019, and the relationship intensified when Gabby moved in with Brian and his parents, Chris and Roberta Laundrie. In this move, Gabby gave up many close friendships, strained the existing relationships within her family, and halted her search for higher education, by abandoning her application to Cape Fear Community College. 

Relationship Milestones  

The fast pace of Gabby and Brian’s relationship was the first of many red flags. In relocating to be with Brian and his family, Gabby moved from her beloved hometown of Suffolk County, New York, to North Port, Florida. During this time, the couple worked at a Publix, where Gabby was a pharmacy technician, and Brian worked in the grocery department. The couple held down their jobs for around a year and quit after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

As the world desperately tried to adapt to the unprecedented times and experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brian and Gabby began to spend more time together. They celebrated Gabby’s 21st birthday in Nokomis Florida, and by July 2020, the couple was officially engaged. As quarantines were put into place, and cities were under lockdown, Gabby, like many of us, turned to the internet for entertainment and company. In doing so, Gabby began to discover the world of travel vlogging. Gabby drew inspiration from this lifestyle and dedicated the next few months of her life to saving up for the start-up costs of becoming a full-time travel vlogger.  

In December of 2020, Petito purchased a 2012 Ford Transit Connect van that had been converted into a camper. This vehicle eventually served as the main mode of transportation for the couple’s cross-country trips. Through the makeshift conversion from van to mobile home, the couple were ready to embark on Gabby’s new influencer lifestyle. Petito documented her life and travels on social media sites such as YouTube and Instagram, where she described her interests as "art, yoga, and veggies,”.  

When Gabby shared the news of her upcoming career and lifestyle change, her family was supportive of her creative endeavors. "She always had that creative eye," stepmother Tara Petito said. "She always enjoyed taking photos. We would go on vacation, and she had her GoPro camera. "She would take videos of us doing things. So, I think that's something that she always really enjoyed doing. So why not try to make it a career?”. Before Gabby and Brian officially began their cross-country travels, they returned to New York for Gabby’s brother TJ's high school graduation. This gathering was the last time the Petito family would see Gabby.  

Road Trip 

On July 2, 2021, the couple left Blue Point for their trip. Throughout the month of July, the couple visited Monument Rocks, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Mystic Hot Springs, and Canyonlands National Park. These trips were documented in Gabby’s only published YouTube video, titled “VAN LIFE | Beginning Our Van Life Journey.” Gabby’s YouTube channel, Nomadic Statik, is still accessible on YouTube. The singular video posted is a harrowing reminder of the tragic events to come, and the unexpectedness of future brutality.  

As the young couple continued their new nomadic lifestyle, the cracks in their relationship began to show. What had initially started as emotional abuse behind closed doors, Brian started to intensify his cruelty towards Gabby with verbal threats, physical confrontation, and manipulative tactics. Early in the relationship, Gabby’s friends expressed concern over Brian’s toxic levels of control over Gabby. Gabby dismissed the concerns of her friends, and as the saying goes, she was blinded by love.  

Gabby’s defense of Brian would ultimately lead to her demise. As we continue with the story, I want to remind everyone that Gabby’s death was not her fault. She did not deserve this treatment and certainly did not deserve to die. Brian was a monster and extinguished a beautiful soul with savagery and barbarity.  

Domestic Disturbance Incident  

On August 12th, 2021, nearly a month after the couple attended Gabby’s brothers' graduation, the veil covering Brian’s true tendencies was revealed to the public. A 911 call regarding domestic violence, which was later revealed to feature Gabby and Brian, was made when the couple was seen fighting in front of the Moonflower Community Cooperative in Moab, Utah. The caller stated that they saw a man slap a woman, after which the man and woman ran up and down the sidewalk, then the man hit the woman again before they drove off together. An additional witness stated that the couple was “talking aggressively” and claimed that Petito hit Laundrie in the arm. This witness also said that Brian seemed to be getting away from Gabby, with the intention of leaving her stranded there, while he drove away in their van. However, before the couple departed, Gabby climbed into the driver’s seat, crawled over to the passenger seat, and let Brian start to drive. Gabby’s final remark in this interaction was allegedly asking Brian “Why do you have to be so mean?”.  

As the couple drove away, officers from the Moab City Police Department (MCPD) identified the van driving erratically near the entrance to Arches National Park and conducted a traffic stop. As the officers approached the van, the entire interaction was recorded by the officer’s body camera. The interaction between the officers and the couple is worrisome and shows the disregard the authorities had for Gabby in a vulnerable situation. In the body cam footage, both Gabby and Brian are questioned by officers.  

As I watched this video, there were several key moments that signified the danger behind their relationship, and the signs of abuse and manipulation at play. In delving into the video, male privilege is utilized by Brian, in his relaxed stance and burgeoning rapport with the officers. As officers speak to Brian, a charming glamour masks his aggression, with a casual “buddy to buddy” conversation with officers.  

Brian downplays the situation in speaking to officers, claiming that Gabby was stressed and emotional. This defense uses a tired tactic of accusing women’s high emotional maturity as a catalyst for disaster and upset. Using a silver tongue of manipulation, Brian earns trust and respect from the officers, by playing towards their own personal experiences with women in their lives such as their wives, mothers, and sisters. Throughout this charming interaction between Brian and the authorities, Gabby sits in the police car, sobbing hysterically and experiencing a mental breakdown.  

The conversation Gabby has with police officers is a conversation I relate to greatly. It is a vulnerable outburst with a repeated chant of “I’m sorrys” and personal blame. Between heaving signs and hiccupped words, Gabby exhibits high levels of anxiety, shame, and fear. Body cams recorded Gabby saying the following, “Yeah, I don't know if some days, I have really bad OCD. I was just cleaning and straightening up, back in the... I was apologizing to him and saying, ‘I'm sorry that I'm so mean,’ because sometimes I have OCD and sometimes I can get really frustrated. Not like mean towards him. I just like, I just, my vibe is, I'm in a bad mood. And, I was just saying I'm sorry if I'm in a bad mood. I just... I had so much work I was doing on my computer this morning. And, I just now quit my job to travel across the country and I'm trying to start a blog. I have a blog. So I've been building my website. I've been really stressed, and he doesn't really believe that I could do any of it, so, we've just been fighting all morning, and he wouldn't let me in the car before,”.  

The responding officer noted in his report that “At no point in my investigation did Gabrielle stop crying, breathing heavily, or compose a sentence without needing to wipe away tears, wipe her nose, or rub her knees with her hands,”. The level of panic Gabby was feeling was callously ignored by officers, allowing Brian to continue his onslaught of emotional abuse.  

Once again, this is Gabby’s story, but I’d like to chime in with my own personal anecdotes. I have been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), among other things. Some of the most common episodes of panic that come with these mental illnesses are the debilitating breakdowns that Gabby was dealing with in this situation. When I have experienced these panic attacks, your entire body and spirit are tied down by unrelenting, constant thoughts of fear, worry, restlessness, and edginess. The body and mind are no longer in control; the mental illness is.  

In these episodes, the cyclical thoughts of worry are amplified to block out logic and reason, with fear as the driving force. The overwhelming experience of a panic attack is like the physical sensation of being waterboarded, with more and more distress being added on, with no time to rest in between. All control over yourself is lost to the panic of the moment, and this lack of control adds fuel to the fire, creating a repetitive onslaught of excessive, persistent, and unrealistic thoughts. During a panic attack, the best way to support someone is to remain calm, validate their feelings, offer reassurance, guide them through breathing and grounding exercises, and most importantly, be patient with them. Unfortunately, the responding officer to the domestic dispute offered none of these tactics, and interrogated Gabby with an air of indifference with no regard to her mental crisis.  

Law enforcement is often portrayed as something to fear, rather than something to help, and the interaction between Gabby and this officer reinforces this reasoning. Rather than offer emotional support and empathy to her situation, the officer proceeded with repetitive questioning, without giving Gabby a chance to rest or properly defend herself. A confrontation with an authority figure is scary for anyone, but for someone with anxiety, it is a nightmare, sustained by the fear that something you say will be misconstrued and will hurt you more than being silent. Sadly for Gabby, this nightmare became her reality.  

As the interaction with the police came to an end, Brian had convinced the officers that he was innocent, and that things just got a little out of hand. The officers dismissed Gabby’s emotional outburst as a mental breakdown, rather than as a call for help. Neither Petito nor Laundrie wanted to press charges as a result of the incident, which was characterized by police as a mental breakdown rather than domestic violence, which would have required an arrest. The police separated the couple, arranging for Laundrie to spend a night at the Bowen Motel in Moab, and for Petito to stay in the van. This choice for physical separation showed the officers obvious favor towards Brian, by offering him a night in a nice, safe, temperature-controlled hotel room with access to food, electricity, and indoor plumbing. Meanwhile, they left Gabby, a small, young woman alone in a van in Utah for the night with no safety equipment or security procedures in place. The Moab City Police Department (MCPD) later investigated whether or not its officers handled the case in accordance with the department's policies, and its chief of police took a leave of absence during the investigation. I don’t know about you, but to me, that screams guilt. The officers did not respond to the call without bias, and chose to favor one individual over the other, without proper consideration or follow through.  

Last Reported Sighting of Gabby  

After the domestic dispute incident, the couple spent several days apart. On August 17th, just 5 days after the reported “mental breakdown”, Brian flew to Tampa, Florida, leaving Gabby in Moab, Utah. Brian’s untimely trip away from his fiancé seemed suspicious. Laundrie’s family attorney said that Brian made the trip to "obtain some items and empty and close the storage unit to save money as they contemplated extending the road trip". Brian returned on August 23 to rejoin Gabby and continue their trip.  

Gabby Petito's mother, Nichole Schmidt, claims that the last time she spoke to her daughter was on a phone call on August 25th. During this conversation, Gabby updated her mother on the trip, saying that she and Brian were on their way to Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. Gabby made no mention of the domestic dispute incident during the call and did not tell her mother about Brian's growing aggression. Gabby also made her last Instagram post on August 25th. It consisted of photos of herself taken in front of a butterfly mural outside a restaurant in Ogden, Utah.  

Two days after her final Instagram post, on August 27th, another public dispute occurred. A witness said that the afternoon of the 27th, between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., they saw Laundrie and Petito together at the Merry Piglets Tex-Mex restaurant in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Per the witness, Laundrie was "aggressive" and had an argument (apparently regarding money) with the manager, waitress, and hostess. The witness said she later saw Petito return to the restaurant, crying and apologizing for Laundrie's behavior. Restaurant staff confirmed via Instagram that the couple were indeed there.  

Later that day, another interaction between the couple was captured, signaling the very last time that Gabby Petito was seen alive. Petito and Laundrie were filmed by CCTV at a Whole Foods store in Jackson, Wyoming. They arrived at the parking lot at 2:11 p.m. and entered the store at 2:14 p.m. before exiting at 2:30 p.m. and heading back into the van. After about 20 minutes of sitting in the van, they eventually drove away and got on Highway 89, the road north to Bridger–Teton National Forest campsite at 2:56 p.m. Following this interaction, there were no known further sightings of Petito before her death.  

An Empty Block of Time  

After the couple got on Highway 89 on the afternoon of August 27th, there were no confirmed sightings of the couple, alone or separately for several days. While the couple was missing, a witness claimed to have seen their van vacant and deserted. The surrounding area was without any occupants or signs of camping near Spread Creek. This same witness claimed they had previously seen a "generic" young white man, believed to be Laundrie, driving his van slowly and "acting weird" in the same area on August 26th. From the afternoon of August 27th to the evening of August 29th, there were no sightings of Petito or Laundrie.  

On August 29th, a witness reported picking Laundrie up from an area near Colter Bay Village after seeing him hitchhiking alone. She said that Laundrie "freaked out" upon learning that they were going to Jackson Hole instead of Jackson, Wyoming, disembarking the vehicle at 6:09 p.m. near the Jackson Lake Dam less than 30 minutes and 10 mi (16 km) after being picked up. Shortly after his first hitchhiking excursion, Laundrie joined another witness in her vehicle. The second witness stated that she picked up Laundrie from the Jackson Lake Dam area at 6:20 or 6:30 p.m. on August 29, dropping him off at the entrance to the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping area. Laundrie offered gas money for the 20-minute ride but did not want to be taken further than the entrance of the campground, which was several miles from the van. According to the witness, Laundrie acted "antsy" about getting out of the vehicle as it got closer to the campsite.  

Family Secrets 

Once Laundrie returned to the van he called his mother. While the precise details of the conversation are unknown, reports say that towards the end of the phone conversation, Laundrie’s tone rapidly changed into one of intensity and anger. After this phone call, Laundrie texted his father, “Gabby’s gone” and mentioned that he may need a lawyer. On September 1st, Laundrie returned alone to his parents' North Port home in the Ford Transit Connect. On September 6th and 7th, he and his parents went camping at Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County.  

Before we continue onto the investigation, let’s examine the peculiarities present amongst Brian and his family. It’s important to note that in most cases, when a child frantically calls their parent asking for help, the parent provides help. That’s standard familial behavior between child and guardian. So, I completely understand the “no questions asked, what do you need” mentality that Laundrie’s parents were operating under. However, after the initial agreement to help, I think the Laundrie couple took their mother and fatherly instincts too far. At the time, the Laundrie’s responded to Brian’s return and plea for help by immediately hiring a lawyer for him and laying low in their North Port home.   

Revealed later in the investigation, Brian’s parents, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, withheld information from Gabby’s parents, and from law enforcement. At the time, the Laundrie’s responded to Brian’s return and plea for help by immediately hiring a lawyer for him and laying low in their North Port home.  Then, on September 6th and 7th, he and his parents went camping at Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County. During this time, the Laundrie family made no effort to contact law enforcement, or Gabby Petito’s family. They continued to follow their normal routine, go on family trips, and behave in a way that seems hypocritical to the heinous crime Brian had committed.  

On September 11th, after not hearing from Petito since late August, Petito's mother filed a missing person report. Four days later, Laundrie was named a person of interest. Under the advice of his lawyer, Brian and his family stayed silent, refusing to comment or speculate on Gabby’s disappearance. While the police could not force the Laundrie family to speak, they were able to implement 24/7 surveillance of the family. Unfortunately, the surveillance team made a pretty big mistake. Police surveilled the Laundrie home and saw him leave on September 13th. On September 17th, Laundrie was reported missing by his parents, who claimed not to have seen him since September 13th. It was at this time that the police realized that they had mistaken Laundrie's mother for Laundrie himself on September 13th. Yeah, a pretty big mistake in my opinion as now no information pertaining to Brian Laundrie’s whereabouts is known. Just like Gabby, Brian has disappeared. After obtaining search warrants, police seized the Ford Transit Connect, an external hard drive, and the Laundrie family's Ford Mustang from the North Port residence.  

Gruesome Discoveries 

With both individuals of the couple now missing, search parties began to scour the area where Petito was last seen. On September 19th, human remains matching the description of Petito were found at the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping area in Wyoming, close to where the couple’s van had been parked in late August. Her identity was confirmed and an autopsy determined that the manner of death was homicide by "blunt-force injuries to the head and neck, with manual strangulation", which occurred three to four weeks before the body was found. The time between Gabby’s last sighting and the discovery of her remains lines up with the last time Brian was with her, alone in the wilderness.  

By this point, Gabby’s remains have been collected and examined but Brian still remains missing. A search for Brian begins, with public outreach from his family to news outlets, pleading him to come home. Brian’s father, Christopher led the search parties through the T. Mabry Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County, Florida, focusing on areas Brian used to frequent in the reserve and the adjacent Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. On October 20th, Laundrie's skeletal remains and some of his belongings were found in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, in an area that had recently been underwater due to flooding. His remains were given to a forensic anthropologist for further examination. On November 23rd, the anthropologist concluded that Laundrie died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.  

On January 21st, 2022, the FBI revealed that Laundrie's notebook, which was found near his remains, contained an entry in which he admitted to killing Petito and deceiving people that she was still alive via text messages. He was officially blamed for Petito's death by authorities, and the investigation was closed. While the police had declared this a closed case, many loose ends were left hanging, and many family members were left with broken hearts.  

Brian’s Admission 

In June 2022, the Laundrie family's lawyer released the full notebook entry, in which Laundrie claims that he killed Petito after she had fallen into water and injured herself. Once the notebook became accessible to the public, speculations began to swarm about the supposedly closed case. As someone who has read the entire transcript, I have some of my own thoughts and speculations regarding Gabby’s final moments. But first, let’s analyze Brian’s version of events.  

To sum it up, Brian’s letter is a pathetic attempt to portray himself as the hero, and to portray Gabby as a casualty of the elements, as the weak link. The entire transcript is deeply unsettling, especially when you consider the tumultuous relationship between the two, and the lack of empathy, patience, and compassion Brian had for Gabby. The entire transcript spans 8 pages, showing a long writing process, with plenty of forethought.  

The letter begins with Brian directly addressing Gabby, as he states that he wishes they were together, and that he can’t stand to live without her. With sappy sweet nothings, and overexaggerated notions of affection, Brian intentionally starts the letter with the focus on not only Gabby, but also on himself. Considering that the first words were “Gabby, I wish I was....” it’s pretty clear that Brian believes this letter is more about boosting his ego, rather than honoring Gabby. The theme of “Gabby, I” is consistent throughout the entire epic, showing that just as in their entire relationship prior, Brian is more concerned with himself and how others perceive him, rather than Gabby, and her overall well-being.  

The letter progresses into recognition of the people Gabby left behind. Her mother, father, siblings, friends, and former coworkers. However, it’s imperative to note that once again, Brian writes with himself at the center of attention, saying that his family is also devastated by her loss, even though the Laundrie family repeatedly withheld information and allowed Brian to escape despite his status as a person of interest in Gabby’s case.  

After addressing his own family and how distressed they are by the entire ordeal, Brian gives his account of the last night of Gabby’s life. In a detailed, lengthy description of her supposed final moments, Brian paints a picture of heroism, showing how he tried to be her knight in shining armor, but that the harsh elements of wilderness and the discomfort Gabby was in, were too much for him to withstand. This incredibly detailed narrative is one that repeatedly portrays Gabby as a “damsel in distress” and as someone too weak to stand up to the climate they were experiencing, unlike her heroic lover, Brian. In his description of Gabby’s demise, Brian depicts himself as a modern-day Romeo, a starstruck lover, tormented by the realities of the world, and controlled by fate that is out of his hands. After several pages detailing the supposedly “weak and fragile” state Gabby was in, Brian writes that he killed her himself, as an act of mercy, designed to end her suffering. In reflecting on her death, Brian once again apologizes to Gabby’s family, for not protecting her from the dangers of the outdoors. He then explains he rushed home to spend time with his family, before he killed himself, and chose to take his own life because he “can’t stand to live another day without her,”.  

Brian ends the letter with a final selfish statement saying ““I have killed myself by this creek in the hopes that animals may tear me apart. That it may make some of her family happy.” This unsettling conclusion once again shows the self-pity that Brian is manifesting, showing a false sense of remorse, and a gross reflection of the couple’s abusive relationship.  

Obviously, there’s a lot to unpack from that letter of twisted love. With such cryptic writing and excessive focus on his own issues, Brian’s admission has garnered attention from mental health professionals, and relationship advocates. In the recovered notebook, Laundrie's diary entries revealed disturbing thoughts about self-harm and mania, including references to smashing holes in walls, pouring gasoline on himself, and wanting to die. Gabby's family believes that these writings and drawings indicate Brian was in the midst of a mental health crisis. Although a formal diagnosis isn't possible, some experts have theorized that Laundrie's behaviors, such as manipulation, disregard for others' rights, and control over Gabby, may be associated with traits of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) or borderline personality disorder (BPD). While mental illnesses do not excuse Brian’s horrific actions, they do provide some insight into the instability of his mind, and the breaking down of his control.  

After reading countless articles, examining court documents and transcripts, and watching several documentaries, as well as reflecting on my own mental illnesses and emotional struggles, I personally believe that Brian killed Gabby with anger, brutality, and savagery. I think that because of Gabby’s enhanced needs for affirmation and increased levels of emotional instability, Brian lost his patience and took out his own issues onto the one person he was supposed to protect. I think Brian killed Gabby with full awareness of his actions and ran to his parents for cover once he realized the severity of his crime. Based on the unacceptable and disgusting way the Laundrie family handled Gabby’s disappearance, they served as accomplices in her death. The Laundrie family offered a killer sanctuary, legal protection, and an escape plan, all to avoid the questioning of police, and the scrutiny of the public. My skepticism of Brian’s sincerity is shared by many other researchers, journalists, and crime experts. Michael Alcazar from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice believed Laundrie was "someone who doesn't want to own up to what he did" and was "trying to find justification for the actions he did".   

The life of Gabby Petitio was one of close friendships, nature appreciation, adventurous spirits, and joyous occasions. According to Gabby’s surviving family, she loved travel, art, and nature. Her family states that “Gabby was just starting her life as a vanlife travel vlogger and was so full of joy as her journey was just beginning. She created the YouTube channel, Nomadic Statik, where she posted about her travels. Her smile could fill a room, she loved movies, music, healthy food, and created amazing works of art. Gabby was a wonderful big sister, the oldest of six, they looked up to her and adored her,”.  

Gabby lived a joyful life, one that was cruelly and unfairly ripped away from her by a monster, disguised as a protective boyfriend. This devastating event highlights the horrific reality that some individuals can become perpetrators of violence against those they should cherish and safeguard. As an anxious girlfriend myself, I see the possibilities in certain situations, leading to an unfair, torturous demise of a gentle soul. While I am very fortunate to have a partner that does not maintain the same aggression and does not judge or belittle me based on my mental illnesses and emotional issues, Gabby’s story serves as a cautionary tale for women all over the world. Gabby’s death is truly an anxious girlfriend’s worst nightmare, and a terrifyingly real possibility for many.  

If you or someone you know is experiencing relationship abuse, call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or go to thehotline.org  

For more information and resources on relationship abuse, visit https://gabbypetitofoundation.org/ 

To support Gabby Petito’s surviving family, visit: https://gabbypetitofoundation.org/make-an-impact

The True Crimes of Halloween

By Austin Price, Editor in Chief

Warning: This article contains descriptions of violence, sexual assault, torture, murder, and child abuse. Reader discretion is advised.  

As you’ve probably noticed in my Spooky Stories Series throughout these past few weeks, I love Halloween. I am obsessed with Halloween. It is my favorite holiday, and it happens during my favorite time of the year, fall. It is the event that surrounds some of my favorite childhood memories. And to say it outright, it’s one heck of a holiday. Halloween is the only holiday that lets you be creepy, selfish, and allows you to tap into your inner spooky self. So yes, I love Halloween.  

I also love true crime. I love learning the nitty, gritty details of some of the most horrific cases in history. I love studying the twisted mentality of the world's most prolific criminals. I love hearing the court cases, the testimonies, the denials, and the confessions. I love discovering the final verdict, that seals the fate of the villains of society.  

Before we continue, I know that’s a lot of dark stuff. And yes, I am a rather dark person. Not in a bad, potential serial killer way, but more of a wannabe Wednesday Adams way. While I terrify my relatives and worry my therapist, I assure you, I’m fine. I’m sure some of you readers share this same niche interest and if not, you might after reading this article.  

Because of my love of Halloween haunts and tales of true crime, I decided that the best way to combine these two passions was to tell you the stories of some of the most unbelievably gruesome, shockingly vile, and disturbingly true crimes that take place during my favorite day of the year, October 31st  

The Toolbox Killers Halloween Murder 

On October 31st, 1979, 16-year-old Shirley Lennette Ledford, was leaving a Halloween party when she was hitchhiking and picked up by a dingy van belonging to Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris. This deadly duo was known as the Toolbox Killers, whose main practice was picking up female hitchhikers in the 1970s and then torturing them with toolbox tools. They committed the kidnapping, rape, torture, and the murder of five teenage girls in southern California over a five-month long period.  

Shirley was the 5th and final victim of Bittaker and Norris. She was held captive for nearly 2 hours in which she experienced a night of brutal torture, sexual assault, intense bodily beatings, and verbal abuse. Shirley died through strangulation by a wire coat hanger and her body was left on a front lawn and was discovered by a jogger the next morning.  

The Candyman Murder 

On Halloween night of 1974, Timothy O’Bryan, an 8-year-old Trick or Treater returned to his home in Houston Texas, after a night of candy collecting. Upon returning home, Timothy’s father, Ronald, gave him the popular candy called a Pixy Stix. Seconds after enjoying this tasty, and seemingly innocent treat, Timothy began to vomit, and died on the way to the hospital. According to Alabama Bio Clean, “Police would later learn that Ronald had poisoned the candy with cyanide to collect a life insurance policy to pay off his debts.”  

Timothy’s father, Ronald Clark O'Bryan, was nicknamed The Candy Man and The Man Who Killed Halloween. Using a potassium cyanide-laced Pixy Stix, his motive was to murder his son and claim the life insurance money to ease his own financial troubles, as he was $100,000 in debt. In a desperate attempt to cover his tracks, O'Bryan distributed poisoned candy to his other child, Elizabeth, and three other children to cover up his crime. However, his plan failed when neither his daughter nor the other children ate the poisoned candy. 

The Last Trick or Treater 

Peter Fabiano and his wife, Betty, had gone to bed on Halloween night in 1957 believing that they were finished with trick-or-treaters. However, the last, late-night visitor was seeking more tricks than treats. Upon hearing the doorbell ring, Peter got up from bed, grabbed the nearly empty candy bowl, and walked to the front door. Peter opened the door, and the ultimate trick was played. On his doorstep stood a woman wearing a mask who raised a gun and shot him in the chest, killing him instantly. 

According to Vice.com, “Betty Fabiano found her husband with a bullet lodged just below his heart. Judy Solomon, Betty's 15-year-old daughter from a previous marriage, called the police. Peter was rushed to a nearby hospital, but he never woke up.”  

Upon further investigation, the police discovered Goldyne Pizer was the murderer. Goldyne Pizer, a 43-year-old widow, admitted to the killing when arrested at her home. She said a friend of hers, 40-year-old Joan Rabel, a former employee at one of Fabiano’s beauty shops, talked her into committing the crime. Friends for four years, Goldyne and Joan planned the murder for three months. The motive behind the murder was that Peter stood in the way of Joan’s plan to pursue a romantic relationship with his wife, Betty.  

A Halloween House of Horrors  

On October 31st, 2010, Devon Griffin discovered a gruesome scene that he initially believed to be a Halloween prank. Upon entering his home in Martin, Ohio, Devon found his mother, 46-year-old Susan Liske, stepfather, 53-year-old William/Bill Liske & brother, 23-year-old Derek Griffin, brutally murdered. According to CrimeandCoffeeCouple.com, “A preliminary exam by the coroner determined that the deaths had been a result of either a gunshot or a blunt object; obvious trauma was found to all the victim’s heads. There were no signs of a struggle & it was suspected that they had been murdered as they slept, completely unaware of the danger they were in.”  

Through later investigations, police found that William Liske Jr, who the family called “BJ,” was the murderer of his own parents and siblings. The motive behind BJ’s murders is connected to his multitude of mental illnesses. By 2007, BJ had been hospitalized for bipolar schizoaffective disorder. BJ received treatment through in-patient therapy and medications and was stable when using a combination of the two. BJ went through spurts of rebellion when he refused to continue his treatment plan, and he would start drinking & smoking pot instead, causing the adverse effects and spiraling his mental health.  

The Slaying of a Sister  

On the morning of October 31, 1981, 76-year-old Sister Tadea Benz was raped, strangled, and killed. Sister Tadea Benz was a Catholic nun, living in the St. Francis Convent in Amarillo, Texas. Her murderer had a substantial age difference between himself and his victim.  

Johnny Frank Garrett was accused of murdering a Catholic nun who lived across the street from him. Johnny was only 17 years old as he brutally raped and murdered a woman nearly 60 years older than him. On November 9, 1981, Garrett, who lived across the street from the convent, was arrested and charged with murder. Johnny was eventually executed at age 28 at the Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville, also known as the Huntsville Unit on February 11, 1992, by lethal injection.  

A Review of Jim Yontz’s Lecture, Inside the Mind of a Sexual Killer, David Parker Ray at Regis University

Austin Price, Editor in Chief

WARNING: This article contains graphic content with mentions and descriptions of abduction, sexual assault, rape, murder, and suicide. Please read at your discretion.  

David Parker Ray is an infamous character in the true crime world. His name is as recognizable as individuals such as Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and John Wayne Gacy. However, few actually know the extent of the inhumane crimes he committed, and the countless lives he ruined.  

I had the opportunity to listen in on a lecture by the lead prosecutor against David Parker Ray himself, Jim Yontz through Regis University’s event, Inside the Mind of a Sexual Killer, David Parker Ray. As an unofficial and self-proclaimed true crime addict and enthusiast, this was an extraordinary experience and lecture I was lucky enough to attend. While there are countless podcasts and documentaries of this horrific individual, getting to hear from the man who went up against him, and advocated for David’s victims, was something I will never forget.  

Before we get started, I just want to let you all know that David Parker Ray will be referred to as “David” throughout the duration of this article. While David Parker Ray is best known as “The Toy Box Killer” I refuse to give him the recognition for his crimes that he viewed as a victory. As Jim Yontz said, “David is nothing more than the most evil individual you would ever run in to.” David is not someone to idolize, or to fawn over. He was a criminally sexual sadist and does not deserve our respect, or our admiration.  

Our story begins in Elephant Butte, New Mexico. A small town with a small community. On November 6th, 1939, David Parker Ray entered the world and was raised by his grandmother. David’s grandmother struggled with undiagnosed mental illness and had strange beliefs surrounding David. She believed that David was the reincarnation of her son, his uncle, and raised him in a heavily conservative and sheltered life. As many of us true crime fans know, mommy issues, or in this case, grandma issues, can lead to the development of a serial killer and David is no exception.  

As David got older, he began working as a maintenance man for New Mexico State Parks, and his job gave him access to the Elephant Butte River and trail, and his surroundings became an aid in his crimes. This location allowed David to live near deep water, giving him the perfect way to dispose of the bodies of his victims. Because of this system, it was hard to pin a victim on David, and the police did not have contact with him until 1990, after he had brutalized many women, and was suspected of killing many more. David was discovered when guests of Elephant Butte River and trail noticed a strange object in the water, which when they pulled it out, was revealed to be a dismembered foot. Upon further inspection, a gunnysack filled with human muscle was found nearby.  

In Yontz’s lecture, he discussed several victims of David’s whether they were personally killed or assaulted by David, or if their deaths were associated with him in any way. Some victims have declared their wish to remain anonymous and will only be listed as their alias, or by their first name only. The victims Yontz recognized were Billy B., Kelly, Angelica, Cindy Vigil, Marie Parker, and S.A. Patricia Rust, F.B.I.  

Jim Yontz began his lecture by recognizing the severity of this case, and the extreme details surrounding it. To the outside world, this case looks more like the plot of a horror movie, but instead of being fake, this case is real, and destroyed the lives of many. “The hardest thing in this case was convincing the jury that this monster actually existed and really did the things he did to people,” Yontz said.  

With such an unbelievable case, many of David’s victims faced backlash for speaking out against him and were labeled as liars and prostitutes who deserved it. There is a lot wrong with the treatment of David’s victims, but Yontz recognized the public scrutiny the victims faced, and how it was impacting them. “It’s so messed up, they’re not gonna believe me. I can’t tell anyone,” said one of the victims, Kelly.  

The victims themselves knew this was a long shot to convince the jury of the reality of this case. But they were adamant in seeing justice and making David pay for his crimes. Before David’s trial, Cindy Vigil spoke to Yontz and said, “He’s so sick that if you don’t convict him, he will offend again on his way home,”.  

Yontz then described a seemingly simple man, who lived in a small town, in a tiny trailer, who had a daughter named Jessica, and was nice enough to everyone that he seemed innocent and unsuspecting. However, in that small trailer with the address of 513 Bass Road k8, David chained, beat, and tortured his victims in his self-built “Toy Box” where the handmade sex toys and weapons he created hung on the walls, ready for his use on his terrified victims.  

The “Toy Box” is the perfect description of a woman’s worst nightmare and is a place that makes me sick to my stomach when thinking about it. David made all his tools of torture and designed them with the intent of making them hurt a woman as much as physically possible, and to make this pain easy for him to inflict. David created handmade devices costing him thousands of dollars and installed a personalized gynecological chair that was customized to accommodate moving chains and other torture devices. The entirety of the “Toy Box” was kept sterile, with no traces of DNA or evidence left over.  

In addition to these tools, David had displays and instructions for his sexual torture. He used Barbie dolls, which served as three dimensional diagrams for his victims and had written out procedures and instructions to follow during his torture sessions.  

Despite all these horrific physical items and equipment, the most terrifying thing in the “Toy Box” was David’s list of mottos and self-affirmations. In large posters taped to the walls of the “Toy Box”, David had written the following:  

“Expect the unexpected.” 

“A woman will say or do anything to get loose.”  

“Never trust a chained captive”  

“Don’t let her get to you. If she’s worth taking, she’s worth keeping.”  

In this terrifying tale, the hero of our story is Cindy Vigil, a prostitute who escaped David and sought justice for herself and David’s other victims. Cindy was tricked by David, leading to her abduction. David used fake ID and badge to trick Cindy into making her think that she was being arrested by him. He drove her back to his trailer, and separated the torture chamber, the “Toy Box”, and chained her inside, letting her worst nightmares begin. While Cindy’s abuse was nowhere near her fault, Yontz and Cindy openly declared that she made a mistake by trusting David and falling for his lies. “If you think there is something wrong, trust yourself. If you think something may happen, get out of the situation,” Yontz said. "All it takes is one mistake, and things like this happen,” he continued.  

As Cindy Vigil told her story, we need to understand the type of criminal David was, and the reasoning behind the behaviors he exhibited. “He is not mentally ill, he is not insane, he is not incompetent. He is a criminal, sexual sadist,” Yontz said. So, that pegs the question, what is a sexual sadist?  

Criminal sexual sadism is the most extreme paraphiliac behavior. It is often caused by traumatic events, sexual and / or physical abuse, and exposure to deviant stimuli, all of which could be attributed to David’s childhood and his complex relationship with his grandmother. The characteristics of a criminal, sexual sadist is presented almost exclusively in males, multiple paraphilias are found in one person, and one paraphilia (out of two partners) typically become dominant. The behaviors that David exhibited are sexual sadism, voyeurism, sexual attraction to objects.  

Criminal sexual sadism allows a sadist to indulge in fantasy roleplay, letting them personify a “master” and assert dominance over a nonconsenting victim. This role makes it possible for David to disconnect from himself, and his victims, from the real world, blocking out what he was doing and from what was happening.  

The key thing to understand about this relationship dynamic is that it is nonconsensual. While the initial behaviors may present as BDSM kinks or sexual practices, David took it a step too far and introduced criminal acts against his victims. As Yontz explained, “David’s fantasy told a lot about David. His fantasies were not fantasies at all. They were actual, real-world depictions of what he had done.” 

Another key factor to understanding David’s behavior and crimes is the difference between normal, sexual exploration through kinks, and criminal, sexual sadism through perversion. Yontz explains perversion as an irrational, intense, and inappropriate relationship with sex. “Kinky uses a feather, perverted uses the whole chicken, and David used the whole chicken. David cannot get sexually aroused unless he is hurting a woman,”.  

Now that we understand David’s nature, let’s get back to our victims. After the leads and assistance from Cindy Vigil, more victims of David’s were found in physical evidence and the victim’s testimony. The next victim that was revealed was Kelly. Kelly was discovered in the “Toy Box” after police received a tip from Cindy. Inside the “Toy Box” David’s extensive sexual tools collection was discovered, as well as video evidence showcasing the abuse Kelly endured, that David had attempted to delete.  

With this immense amount of evidence against David, the prosecution had a strong case, and the guarantee of putting David away for a long time. However, despite the intense investigation and police involvement in this case, the media was the trailblazer in finding and identifying victims. As the case gained more coverage, more victims were revealed, and chose to come forward against Daivd. In addition, a co-conspirator of David’s was highlighted and brought to justice. Roy Yancy, a friend of David, was exposed and convicted for the murder of Marie Parker, a murder that David assisted with.  

As Jim Yontz tackled this case, he had one goal in mind, advocate for David’s victims. “My job is to seek justice, and to protect my victim,” he said. Yontz helped represent Kelly, Angelica, Cindy Vigil, and the late Marie Parker. Yontz’s top priority was respecting and representing his clients. “As a DA, you have to consider your live victims.” 

The victims of David faced intense public backlash and constant judgement, which was unnecessary, inappropriate and cruel. However, Yontz was determined to protect his clients to the best of his ability. A challenge Yontz faced was balancing his emotions and hatred towards David with his fight for David’s victims. “There’s nothing worse than being mad at someone else and forgetting about everyone else around you,”. 

Despite this emotional toll, Yontz was successful in this case. After going up the defendants of David, including Cindy Hendy, his partner in crime, Jessica Parker, his daughter, and Roy Yancy, his friend, Yontz won the case and David was sentenced to 224 years in prison. While David was never convicted of any confirmed murders, the combination of sexual assault, rape, abduction, torture, and imprisonment gave him a lengthy punishment. However, David would never serve time for his crimes, as he died one year into his sentence, due to a heart attack.  

While this premature death seems cowardly, and a huge disappointment to his victims, as they fought so hard for justice, they did feel a sense of peace knowing he could no longer hurt anyone. However, I would be remiss to not fully represent or honor his many victims that suffered his abuse both directly and indirectly.  

As we end David’s story, we recognize the following: 

• Billy Ray Bowers – suspected victim, murdered by David  

• Kelly – Victim of David’s, sexual abuse survivor and advocate  

• Angelica - Victim of David’s, sexual abuse survivor and advocate 

• Marie Parker - Murdered by Roy Yancy, murder assisted by David 

• S.A. Patricia Rust, F.B.I. - Tasked with sketching the crime scene and evidence of David’s actions and was left alone in the “Toy Box” for 3 days as she sketched. Patricia killed herself the night she returned home, after witnessing the horror of David’s crimes. 

 As a true crime enthusiast, it is imperative to do your research and feed your true crime soul responsibly and respectfully. I have compiled some of my top resources that show respect to the victims and expose David as the villain he is. For those interested in learning more about David Parker Ray, the crimes he committed, and the victims he hurt, please invest in the following resources:  

• David Parker Ray, The Toy Box Killer (2019)  

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11827256/ 

• Episode 92 - David Parker Ray: Scrap Metal Sex Toys, presented by RedHanded  

https://radiopublic.com/redhanded-WPROXw/s1!57d43 

• Evil In the Desert, episode 4 “Wicked Attraction”  

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1277353/ 

• Toy Box Killer, presented by Killer Queens  

https://www.killerqueenspodcast.com/episode/toy-box-killer/ 

• David Parker Ray, Serial Killing: A Podcast  

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/serial-killing/episodes/David-Parker-Ray-e94lni 

• Slow Death: The Sickest Serial Slayer to Stalk the Southwest by Jim Fielder  

https://www.amazon.com/Slow-Death-Sickest-Serial-Southwest-dp-0786029269/dp/0786029269/ref=dp_ob_title_bk 

• Cries in the Desert by John Glatt 

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781429904711 

If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual assault, please use the following resources:

• National Sexual Violence Resource Center 

https://www.nsvrc.org/ 

• National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline  

https://www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline 

• Sexual Assault Kit Initiative  

https://www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline 

To join the fight against sexual assault and violence, visit the following resources:  

• Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault  

https://www.wcasa.org/resources/areas-of-interest/advocacy/ 

• Stop Abuse for Everyone  

https://www.safeaustin.org/our-services/face-to-face-support/sexual-assault-survivor-advocacy/ 

• Advocacy Center 

https://www.actompkins.org/education/sa-and-rape/ 

• Ride-share Sexual Assault Guide by Cutter Law

https://cutterlaw.com/sexual-assault-ride-sharing-guide/

To access resources for sexual assault survivors and their families, visit the following resources:

• Helping Survivors

  helpingsurvivors.org/rideshare-sexual-assault/

A Review of RedHanded’s Emptyhanded Tour with Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire

By Austin Price, Staff Writer

Photos by Austin Price

The lights begin to dim, and the iconic picture of podcast hosts and true-crime enthusiasts Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire light up the back wall of the stage. The classic podcast intro music aptly titled “Scary Murder #3” starts to play. The crowd erupts into cheers and applause. True crime fans and their novice significant others recognize the significance of this moment. This is RedHanded. A true-crime podcast. 

On March 23, 2023, internationally acclaimed true crime podcast, RedHanded, graced Denver, CO with their presence at The Newman Center in the University of Denver with their first North American tour, EmptyHanded. Suruthi Bala and Hannah Macguire began their podcast in 2016, and now have created nearly 300 episodes ranging in length from 1 hour to 3 hours. They have also starred in several spinoff shows including ShortHand and Sinister Societies, a Spotify Original from Parcast. In addition to their immense collection of true crime material, they have also been awarded many well-deserved accolades including Gold for both 2021 and 2022 in the British Podcast Awards, were listed in Amazon Music’s Best Podcast of the Year collection for 2022, and thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic as they built their platform even more with earning Spotify’s 2020 Number One (Case Closed).

With such an amazing list of accomplishments and accolades, one might wonder why RedHanded has seen the success it has. How did two 20-something British introverts gain such popularity in the never-ending field of true crime? Well, personally I believe their success can be attributed mainly to their friendship but also to their perfect balance of anger towards the guilty, empathy for the innocent, reverence for the victims, advocacy for the survivors, good-natured fun, lighthearted joy in the darkest of cases, just a bit of swearing, and some crazy, too-good-to-be-true personal stories from the two of them. With all these factors, Bala and Macguire certainly delivered a performance to remember in Denver for the 8th stop of their North American, EmptyHanded tour. 

The stage in the Newman Center in the University of Denver, ready for the show to start.

The EmptyHanded show began with some lighthearted fun as a video played of Bala and Macguire jumping out of an airplane, fulfilling a promise they made to their supporters if they won Gold for the British Podcast Awards for the second year in a row. They won, and to the delight of fans, we witnessed Suruthi’s childlike excitement in jumping out of a plane and Hannah’s disgruntled attitude and thinly veiled fear as she followed her cohost and long-time friend. While this video was only 3 minutes long, it got the audience laughing and ready to handle a gruesome true crime case after a bit of fun. 

After the video was played, Suruthi and Hannah entered the stage. Hannah donned a long, flowy dress with flowers giving her a “garden fairy” look and Suruthi was in a form-fitting black suit, giving off a “businesswoman” chic vibe. As the two made their way to the center of the stage and sat in red velvet chairs, they poured themselves a glass of wine each, and the night began.

Hannah Macguire (left) and Suruthi Bala (right) at the beginning of the show.

The story they chose to tell for this show was one that was shocking with intense scenarios of child abuse and grooming, terrifying with unimaginable naivety, and downright weird with alien communication and warped religious beliefs. This was the story of Jan Broberg and her malicious abuser, Robert Berchtold. 

The back wall features the mugshots of Robert Berchtold after his arrest for the abuse and kidnapping of Jan Broberg. 

The back wall features an image of Jan Broberg as a child during the time of her abuse.

This story is one that is heartbreakingly true and one that continues to rewrite itself repeatedly. Same coercion, same gullibility; different abusers, different victims. In the case of Jan Broberg, she was groomed, sexually abused, abducted, and trapped by Robert Berchtold as he weaponized her Mormon religion against her and began an intense process of brainwashing, manipulation, and ostracization. As you can already tell, this is a hard case to cover. Bala and Macquire recognized this and in order to lighten the mood, as much as you can in a true crime podcast show, they introduced a fan-favorite, interactive activity to break up the tension. This was called EmptyHanded Time. 

EmptyHanded is centered on the idea of failed romance and relationship mistakes. While Bala and Macguire frequently discuss their personal EmptyHanded experiences, the live show was an opportunity for the audience to share their own experiences and often, their own relationship mistakes and confessions. Using an online forum, Bala and Macguire opened the floor for audience members to anonymously share their EmptyHanded stories and would take turns reading these relationship confessions to the audience. These EmptyHanded stories occurred 4 times throughout the show and were strategically placed to break the tension and get some laughs during true crime horror. 

Hannah Macguire (left) and Suruthi Bala (right) begin the first session of EmptyHanded time.

As the show continued, the audience laughed and cried, cheered and shouted, but most of all, the audience became one with RedHanded, a true crime podcast. True crime fans can only relate to fellow true crime fans because of the intense and graphic nature behind the content, and when you put hundreds of them in a room together, you're bound to get some laughs in seemingly the worst situations. While the show lasted nearly 3 hours with an intermission, no time is enough to cover the true crime cases throughout history. 

With wit and humor, sincerity and graciousness, cleverness, and fun, Hannah Macguire and Suruthi Bala once again delivered their best with their EmptyHanded Tour. They finished the show with the most RedHanded finale ever, a picture of Macguire and Bala in alien costumes, a callback to the alien themes in the case covered featuring Jan Broberg. Here’s to many more podcasts, episodes, cases, and shows to come ladies! 

Hannah Macguire (left) and Suruthi Bala (right) dressed as aliens for the finale of the show.