Domino Effect of Murder

Murders of adults usually leave behind sons and daughters who must somehow move on with their lives. They are the forgotten victims of homicide - even by their relatives. It is rare for a child to get the mental health help they need and deserve following the loss of one or both parents to murder. Even worse, they are sometimes used by prosecutors at witnesses. This episode looks at a cross-section of eight people who lost one or both parents to homicide and the impact it had on them.

Sharon McConnell-Dickerson, equipped only with her phone, was able to set in motion a series of events that led to the capture and conviction of a serial murderer in Panama. Who knows how many lives she saved?

Captain Mike Schentrup retired in 2021 as a Bureau Commander for the Gainesville Florida P.D. where he had worked for almost 25 years. His years on the job brought him to investigate many murders. Before leaving Gainesville P.D. he founded Advanced Police Concepts, LLC in 2016. But Captain Schentrup has also experienced homicide from the view of the homicide survivor. His young niece was one of the students senselessly slain in the 2018 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas H.S. He felt the ripple effect on people closest to him.

Please join us as we discuss cold case investigations, his niece's murder and how working major cases can take a toll on officers.

Josephine Wentzel was a detective by training and retired when her 30-year-old daughter Crystal was murdered by her new boyfriend. He fled to South America on a forged Canadian passport. He had training in special operations. Even the U.S. Marshals didn't hold out much hope he'd be apprehended. But Josephine had promised she'd take care of her daughter from birth to death - and beyond.

Sheer grit, determination, a careful strategy and time eventually won out. He was captured and returned to the U.S. where he is currently awaiting trial.

Listen as we discuss the self-described "mama bear" bring the wrath of the U.S. government onto the man who stole the life of her daughter and the mother from her tiny grandchildren.

Jessica Elise Lewis lost her husband, Russell, to homicide after moving to a remote ranch in California. In January of 2023, she explained what happened and her reactions as they unfolded. This episode picks up where that one left off. How is she doing a year later? In what ways can friends help? What recommendations does Jessica have for new homicide survivors? Were there signs that Russell expected to die? That he is trying to make his presence known today?

Homicide survivors are often hypervigilant and over-predictive of further harm. This is unhealthy and (for most of the country) unnecessary. This final episode of 2023 explains the concentration of homicide within 13 zip codes in the U.S. (sometimes known as "kill zones") and a possible remediation to the problem.

Homicide survivor "Jessika for Justice" makes her debut as a podcast host on this episode of Domino Effect of Murder. She discusses the ethics of true crime with her guest Raul Montero as he pursues justice for the victims of the Long Island Killer.

All murders are heinous but timing it to take place in front of the victim's six-year-old son? This egregious act took place in North Hollywood on Halloween, 1985. But for our guest Susan Snow, the murder of her father seems like yesterday. In addition to her sharing her story of homicide, it is also a cautionary tale. Susan painstakingly explains why the lack of assistance given to her by adults in her life (personally and professionally) led to years of unnecessary suffering and feeling alone and damaged. She is the author of The Other Side of the Gun, available on Amazon.


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The financial fallout from murder and suicide is immediate, unexpected, under-researched, and murky. But, as our guest says "It is real."

Using the example of brand-new widow Sophia, we get an inside glimpse of how financial demands add to the already overwhelming shock of unexpected death for those left to grieve.

One beneficial resource is suggested to take away some of the guesswork. (For additional information see the reference book "What Now? Navigating the Aftermath of Homicide and Suicide" available on Amazon.)

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Terry Gaza had an inkling there was trouble ahead with the young man who fathered her infant daughter. She put distance between them over his objections. Although Terry sensed he was capable of violence, she was unprepared for the news that he murdered his own mother, attempted to murder his brother immediately afterward then killed a passing motorcyclist as he fled the scene - in handcuffs no less.

Years later Terry was faced with the delicate task of revealing the truth to her daughter about her father. How much should she know? When should she be told? What words would help her understand? How would she react if and when he asked to see her. She gave it considerable thought.

Please join us as we sit ringside to the tragedy of a murder that impacted at least three families.

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The wind was not at the back of our next guest. Ever. She never knew her biological father. She grew up trapped in abuse and poverty. Her large family lived in a hot, isolated stretch of California dotted with Joshua trees, few people, and even fewer opportunities. When her mother was bedridden with cancer she became her caregiver, all the while working to support the family and caring for her younger siblings. By age 20 she was orphaned. Rather than sink in self-pity she (and her new husband) adopted her younger siblings. The marriage didn't last, but her devotion to her family did.

Her younger sister/daughter Aryanna was never able to rise above her harsh beginnings and turned to unhealthy behaviors early in life to cope. Sadly, that eventually led to her violent death by a homeless man inside a deserted mobile home in San Diego. She was only 28. While Aryanna perished, her son did not and our guest is now raising him. Our speaker's compassion, determination, and sorrow come through as she tells us of the loss of her much-loved and much-missed sister, Aryanna. Please join Alexa Hansen as she shares the story of the homicide of Aryanna who was burned alive.

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It's impossible to explore grief following violent death without stumbling across compelling accounts of unexpected, metaphysical communications with the deceased. It may be the scent of their perfume precisely when they are thought about. Or, it could be a vivid dream that awakens the griever and persists. In other instances, it's a special set of numbers that recur over and over. While seemingly rare, it's likely that many "experiencers" have these asomatous events but declines to mention them for fear of ridicule.

Regardless of the form they take, it would be dishonorable and dismissive if we did not pause to take a closer look at these events. Enter Dr. Ann Clark.

Dr. Clark's professional background is that of a scientist, researcher, and statistician. So it may come as a surprise to learn how her on-the-job experiences and the unexpected loss of her only child led her to investigate the phenomena of life between lives. In this episode, she discusses past life regression, soul development, and the process of life selection.

For more information see my website: https://www.jancantyphd.com

The carefree life of southern California teenager Lynette Duncan was abruptly stolen by a pair of serial murderers on a crime spree. She was only 16. It was 4 am. Her father was followed coming home from work with a bank deposit. As he stepped onto his front porch his life was cut short. So was the life of his eldest daughter who heard the commotion and was the first to get to the door. Listen to how this brave, young woman coped with being thrust into the role of head of household all the while grieving the loss of the family she once had.

For more information see my website: https://www.jancantyphd.com

Ryan was a senior at the U of Tampa and a star athlete when his life was cut short. A young man with a criminal past took Ryan's life early one morning in a botched robbery. So started the enduring grief of Ryan's close-knit family.

His father, Kevin, reflects on how grief changes with the passing of years and the pressure it puts upon families. He discloses what he did to keep his family united during the three-year wait to bring the killer to justice. In addition, Kevin explains how keeping a journal helped him then - and now. (It is available on Amazon with the apt title "For The Love of Family." I recommend it to students in victimology, criminal justice and social work majors as well as families experiencing the grief of a recent violent death.)

For more information see my webpage at: https://www.jancantyphd.com

Four years ago Jessika learned her fiance, Austin, had been stabbed to death in the leasing office of their Texas apartment complex. He was the most unlikely person to meet a violent end with his polite countenance and love of animals and people. To compound her misery, the investigation was compromised from the get-go and ultimately left unsolved. In time Jessika pivoted her intense grief and anger into something positive. Today she is all about advocacy and educating others about the reality of the aftermath of murder. Jessika knows of what she speaks.

For more information see my website at: https://www.jancantyphd.com

While the term "homicide survivor" is commonly used with the family of the deceased, it's equally appropriate to use with colleagues in civilian or military jobs. This interview spotlights U.S. Navy Commander Tina Erwin (Ret.) and her determination to understand the suspicious death of a young man under her command.

Commander Erwin noticed that the submariners used their "gut feelings" to know when something was "off." This intensified her lifelong interest into the deeper meaning of events. As she saw it, "The Navy was a tremendous schoolhouse in which to study all the facets of behavior and karma, from the worst to the finest levels of humanity."

Commander Erwin discusses the suspicious death of a sailor under her command. Her reaction showcases her compassion, competence and conviction in trying to right this wrong.

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Most homicide survivors vividly recall groping in the dark in the aftermath of murder. Who should they call? What is to be done with reporters? What about social media? What can be delegated to friends?

As time passes survivors collide with additional urgent questions. Is financial help available? What should be expected from the criminal justice and parole systems? When is an attorney needed?

Resources are painfully lacking for the loved ones of a murder victim. It soon becomes clear that help from others who have traveled the path is invaluable. And so, the need for a reference book to answer important questions becomes obvious.

This episode explains the abyss that survivors face, and how the guidebook What Now? Navigating the Aftermath of Homicide and Suicide steps in to help.

More information can be found on my website: https://www.jancantyphd.com

Temujn Kensu (aka Fred Freeman) was wrongfully convicted of a 1987 murder he didn't do and is serving a sentence of life without parole. It's an open secret he's innocent. Even a former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice, FBI investigator and detective with the Michigan State Police agree. He was railroaded.

Two questions immediately come to mind. How did this travesty of justice even happen?
Why should I care?

Answer:
Money, power and incompetent legal representation became the toxic mix that locked this innocent man up. It's an all-to-common backdrop for botched legal cases.
We should all care because if it could happen to him, it could happen to you or someone you love.

Listen in. Know what's at stake. Know how to lend support to Temujn and others in his shoes. Know who to make accountable.

For more information on wrongful convictions see my book: What Now? Navigating the Aftermath of Homicide and Suicide.
Feel free to tour my website: https://www.jancantyphd.com

Murder is complex and inherently infused with strong emotions. This episode reviews the five common motives for murder, the profile of the person who most frequently kills and who is most likely to become a victim. Following that we will hear from recently released Marcel McDaniel who served 17 years for homicide and what he is doing to make a difference with other inmates now that he has regained his freedom.

Feel free to tour my website: https://www.jancantyphd.com/

Forensic psychology is a specialty where psychology meets law. Our guest, Dr. Johnston, has an extensive resume in this field and will shed light on what her job entails. In addition, we discuss relevant current events such as prison reform, the ethics of true crime shows and much, much more.

Feel free to tour my website: https://www.jancantyphd.com/