Shortly into a happy marriage, in the midst of a new job with a bright future, living on a peaceful, remote ranch, the unthinkable happened. Jessica Alise Lewis recounts the awful night she learned of the shooting death of her beloved Russell by a man on a crime spree aiming for someone else. Alone and terrified, surrounded by a mountainous, stormy landscape, she is summoned to the police station to confirm the ugly truth. She painstakingly shares her tragedy on the second anniversary of Russell...
Jan 11, 2023•57 min•Season 4Ep. 1
This episode gives the backstory of how this podcast came to be, as well as review top stories of the year - with some updates thrown in. A glimpse into Season 4 is offered, too. Feel free to tour my website: https://www.jancantyphd.com/
Nov 23, 2022•1 hr 14 min
Ever wonder how - or if - psychic detectives really work with law enforcement on missing persons and unsolved homicide cases? If so, how effective are they? What is their method? Equally important - how do you spot a charlatan? Listen as Karen Romine explains the ways she helps law enforcement. Karen is a certified international psychic, medium and energy healer based in Iowa. She blends these skills to help law enforcement when asked. For information about my books and other information please ...
Nov 09, 2022•55 min
Many homicide survivors have had exposure (and sometimes over-exposure) to print, broadcast and social media posts about the homicide in their families. But imagine the live streamed broadcast of your loved one's last moments on social media platforms... Not only was the crime shown, but it's also been shared and viewed millions of times. It's a special kind of eternal torment for loved ones and it lacks a clear solution. Here is the story of the random murder of Robert Godwin of Ohio as told by...
Oct 26, 2022•37 min
Marcy Pusey was a newlywed sleeping under the same roof as her in-laws. Early one morning her father-in-law knocked on their door to tell them his wife (her mother-in-law) was "hurt" and needed help. In truth, he'd brutally murdered her. The reason will surprise you. For information about my books and other information please visit my website: https://jancantyphd.com/
Oct 12, 2022•1 hr 20 min
The 100-year forced assimilation of indigenous children across the U.S. and Canada between 1865-1960 cost thousands of lives. Some say their tiny spirits call out from unmarked graves and repeatedly ask to be brought home and given back their name. Listen as we follow the story of Daughter of Red Cedar. For information about my books and other information please visit my website: https://www.jancantyphd.com/
Sep 28, 2022•1 hr 10 min
Agape Garcia's life (and that of her 8-year-old and unborn baby) pivoted without warning. Hundreds of miles from home, they unpacked to start a new life chapter. Without warning the father of her yet-to-be-born son viciously tried to kill her. She had no resources, no support, yet reestablished herself, raised her children alone and now (years later) finally feels free enough to talk about her personal experience of domestic terrorism at the hands of someone she once loved and trusted. Agape wil...
Sep 14, 2022•42 min
Lisbeth McCarty, the aunt of murder victim Lauren Barnes, tells a cautionary tale. Youth, pregnancy, paternal rejection of pregnancy, and the realization of responsibilities that lie ahead can boil into a toxic mix. Baby Avery's father would rather have risked life in prison than life co-parenting her. He dug her grave along with the mother who carried her and carried through with his lethal trap. Sadly, this is not a unique story. Homicide is the leading cause of death of unborn children. For i...
Aug 31, 2022•49 min
Part two of school shootings narrows the lens of the causes of this tragedy to focus on family, child and biological roots of this mayhem. It also offers several ways each of us can intervene, especially in regards to early intervention. For more information see my website at: https://jancantyphd.com
Aug 17, 2022•26 min
Mass school shootings like the one in Uvalde, Texas on May 24, 2022 are as complex as they are appalling. This two-part series examines the cultural, familial, personal, and biological underpinnings of these tragic events in an attempt to better understand this rare and deadly phenomenon. For information about my books and other information please visit my website: https://jancantyphd.com/
Aug 03, 2022•40 min
Ashley Michelle was invited to her former boyfriend's apartment very late one night in 2016. Once inside, he locked the door behind her, assaulted her, forced her to look at their friend that he'd just murdered, and told her she was next. Her survival was dependent upon her intuition and split-second timing. For information about my books and other information please visit my website: https://jancantyphd.com/
Jul 20, 2022•52 min
Detective Moran is best known for his work on the John Wayne Gacy serial murders of Cook County, Illinois. In this episode, we discuss the toll these unsolved murders take, why law enforcement has such a difficult time identifying victims and what families can do to assist law enforcement. For information about my books and other information please visit my website: https://www.jancantyphd.com/
Jul 06, 2022•41 min
About half of all homicide survivors will face the litigation process but are seldom prepared to do so. Most have never been part of a criminal trial and have a steep learning curve ahead. This episode prepares homicide survivors to understand basic terminology and procedures for the trial of the assailant. Real case material will be used to demonstrate important points. For information about my books and other information please visit my website: https://www.jancantyphd.com/...
Jun 22, 2022•1 hr 16 min
Karen Hewitt was a preteen in the U.K. when she was a patient of Harold Shipman, M.D. Her elderly grandmother was a patient of Shipman's also and was scheduled to see him around the time his murderous behavior was exposed. Ms. Hewitt's brush with the most prolific serial murderer in the U.K. has left her with PTSD, Agoraphobia and a burning desire to help others grow out of their shell and realize their potential. Listen in as we learn about the impact of this once-trusted physician who took the...
Jun 08, 2022•57 min
When homicide survivors enter the courtroom and see the defandant their blood boils. We want and deserve a conviction. But, even more important, we want and deserve accuracy in the conviction. Listen in as the issue of wrongful murder convictions displays flaws in our legal system that sometimes results in even the homicide survivor being incarcerated for decades.
May 25, 2022•40 min
How well is the correctional system "correcting"? What would a victim-centric rehabilitation system look like? How gratifying would it be to you if you were certain that the perpetrator of your loved one's homicide faced you and demonstrated "they got it" - that they comprehended the depth of your loss, anger, fear, confusion and grief? Does restorative justice work? Would those who have been through it recommend it? Does it also help restore the damaged community in which the crime occurred? Li...
May 11, 2022•55 min
Our shared experience as homicide survivors grows us into reluctant experts in coping with traumatic grief. Over time we can pivot our experience into helping others who will surely follow us. In so doing we help ourselves. We are our best hope for dealing with our traumatic losses. Several examples from previous guests are provided to illustrate how his has been accomplished and the importance of connection. For information about my books and other information please visit my website: https://w...
Apr 27, 2022•34 min
Where do the rights for the public to know about crime end and the crime victim's right to privacy begin? What have been the social benefits of journalism crime reporting? What has been the impact on the victim-family? Why do some crime victims get hounded by the press and others bypassed altogether? Here we discuss he often uneasy junction between print and electronic media and victims of crime and between a crime reporter and homicide survivor. For the guests's book see The Crime Beat For info...
Apr 13, 2022•1 hr 17 min
Ukraine's children are under assault with the attack of Russia. As in most wars and family homicides it is all too easy to overlook their needs, to minimize the impact of violent death on the shoulders of tiny humans. This episode puts the spotlight on them. For more information see my webpage at: https://www.jancantyphd.com
Mar 30, 2022•18 min
Hope Reger was aptly named. She was once a struggling teenage mom in Ohio but pushed ahead and succeeded in raising her son despite the odds. Hope advanced in her career and later married Mike. Together they raised their two sons with love and devotion. Life looked promising. They became grandparents. Then Hope received a knock on her door one morning as she was getting ready for work. Two uniformed officers handed her a note simply saying "Call this number. It's about your son, Justin" (her you...
Mar 16, 2022•56 min
One of the many shared experiences of most homicide survivors is the death notification. It's almost never "by the book." It triggers the trajectory that we all are forced to take. For information about my books and other information please visit my website: https://jancantyphd.com/
Mar 02, 2022•28 min
Shelly Edwards Jorgensen grew up witnessing severe domestic violence against her mom with death threats from her father threatening to "kill everyone and burn down the house." He made good on his threat. It took years for law enforcement to charge him and during that time Shelley lived with her murderous and alcoholic father in full view of the charred remains where she knew her mom died. Listen as she describes this ordeal as well as "visits" from her deceased mom which brought her comfort duri...
Feb 16, 2022•1 hr 10 min
Grievers sometimes describe unshakeable "ways of knowing" and spontaneous "connections" with their loved ones "on the other side" following violent death. Our guest, Dr. Betty Kovacs has studied these phenomena for over thirty years (and also experienced three tragic deaths in her immediate family). Grievous events, she asserts, allow such connections to be perceived. Three examples from other guests are used to explain this altered state of consciousness which is documented over time and geoloc...
Feb 02, 2022•1 hr
Every homicide survivor-family is faced with decisions regarding funeral arrangements (including the option to do nothing). Kari Northery is a doubly-credentialed guest. Not only is she an experienced expert in the death care industry, but she experienced a murder in her own family of her little niece. Join us as she describes the decisions we face and our options. For more information see my book "What Now?" Navigating the Aftermath of Homicide and Suicide" Or visit my webpage at https://jancan...
Jan 19, 2022•1 hr 7 min
Imagine being told your biological mom drowned. You attach to your new stepmom and she, too, drowns. Coincidence? The police didn't think so. Listen is as we hear from a man who grew up with that legacy. How did he navigate that difficult path? What does he want us to learn from this? Please visit my webpage at: https://www.jancantyphd.com
Jan 05, 2022•1 hr 4 min
Mike Morford has been advocating for homicide survivor families (especially those with unsolved cases) through his podcast. For more information see my website at: https://www.jancantyphd.com
Nov 24, 2021•29 min
The violent, senseless murder of Carol and Less Dotts in their East Tennessee home on February 3, 1995, inspired their daughter, Jeanne Dotts Brykalski, into action as a Victim Advocate. But the story doesn't end there. Their killers are up for parole and she is on a mission. Please visit my website at https://www.jancantyphd.com
Nov 10, 2021•1 hr 4 min
When an officer is killed in the line of duty it is considered an "end of watch." This episode compares and contrasts the experiences of families who have lost a loved one as a police officer with those who have lost someone as a "civilian." There is a great deal of overlap. For more information see my webpage at: https://www.jancantyphd.com
Oct 27, 2021•57 min
Michael Anthony, from Indiana, grew up knowing nothing but physical abuse, neglect, poverty, and pessimism. Somehow, in spite of his mistreatment and being surrounded by resignation and despair he knew he was not broken. Then a "mirror moment" changed his life. This self-made man tells us about his journey out of chaos and of his desire to inspire others to do the same. Please visit my webpage at: https://www.jancantyphd.com
Oct 13, 2021•1 hr 15 min
Special Agent Sackman describes serial murderers who are licensed physicians both inside and outside of long-term healthcare facilities. Learn what motivates them, why medicine is a perfect setting to commit homicide, and how they literally get away with murder for years. It will get you rethinking your next stay inside a hospital. Feel free to tour my website: https://www.jancantyphd.com/
Sep 29, 2021•1 hr 16 min
