Episode 152 Juan Leon Laureles Rewind 

In this episode, we rewind and go back into The Murder In My Family vault to explore the case of Juan Leon Laureles who was murdered in Brown County, TX and was seemingly the victim of a hate crime because he was gay. Since the original release of our episode in July, 2021, Leon's case has gotten a lot more media attention in an ongoing effort to see his case solved, and his killer, or killers identified. You'll hear from Leon's niece Arlene in this episode and she discusses how Leon's loss has greatly affected the lives of those who knew and loved him.

If you have any information Leon’s case, please call the Brown County Sheriff’s Office at (325) 646-5510 or go to http://www.heartoftexascrimestoppers.org/ to submit an anonymous tip. There is currently a $30,000 reward being offered in this case. To learn more about Leon’s case, visit the Facebook group run by his niece, Arlene or the website for his case

 To support and listen AD-FREE to every single epsiode of not only The Murder in My Family, but also to every other show on the AbJack network of podcasts, consider an AbJack Insider subscription through Apple Podcasts. You can start with a free trial, and then for just $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, you'll get not only AD-FREE listening to hundreds of episodes, but also early-previews, and access to bonus content.To contact the podcast or learn more about the case we discuss, please visit The Murder In My Family Home Page Follow us on social media on Facebook or on X (formerly Twitter)

Episode 150 Raymond Saenz

On October 11, 2019, Raymond Saenz a 30 year old father of 3, went to a bar in San Bernardino, CA with a couple friends to have a couple drinks and some wings. While he was there, Raymond found himself cornered in a small bathroom with multiple members of a biker gang, and he wouldn't come out alive. Raymond was shot once in the face and left to die on the bathroom floor as the bikers fled the scene. Raymond's murder was shocking because he was well liked and got along with all kinds of people; in fact, surveillance footage from the bar showed Raymond being friendly with the bikers prior to being shot by them. That same surveillance footage may hold clues, that along with eye witness testimony, may help convict the men who have been arrested for Raymond's murder. The trial has been delayed in court for various reasons, and over four years later, Raymond's family is still waiting for justice. In this episode, Raymond's mom Mary discusses what is taking so long, and the challenges in getting justice for her son. 

To support and listen AD-FREE to every single epsiode of not only The Murder in My Family, but also to every other show on the AbJack network of podcasts, consider an AbJack Insider subscription through Apple Podcasts. You can start with a free trial, and then for just $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, you'll get not only AD-FREE listening to hundreds of episodes, but also early-previews, and access to bonus content.To contact the podcast or learn more about the case we discuss, please visit The Murder In My Family Home Page

Episode 149 James 'Jimmy' Townsend

In 1985, 13 year old James 'Jimmy' Townsend was a popular boy in his hometown of Monroe, Louisiana. He was a friendly and gifted athlete who played a variety of sports and excelled at them. By September of that year, Jimmy had become involved in boxing, but that wasnt all that was new for Jimmy. He was also a new father to a baby girl; Kristy. Being a father at 13 was certainly going to be a challenge for Jimmy, but he was ready to take it on. Sadly, he'd never get the chance. On September 28th, 1985, Jimmy along with a couple friends went to a local fair, and while there, they got into an altercation with a group of seven young men and boys, thought to be members of a local gang. Jimmy fought back before he and his friends ran for their lives. Sadly, Jimmy couldn't outrun his attackers, and he was savagely beaten to death.

Although police had the accounts of multiple witnesses, and names of suspects, the case was never resolved and remains unresolved to this day. The mother of Jimmy's daughter Kristy wound up giving her up for adoption when she was just eleven months old so she never got to know her father. As she grew up and began to wonder about her roots, Kristy was upset that her father's murder forever changed the outcome of her life. She was determined to get justice for her father, and has helped to re-ignite a fresh look into the case. In this episode, Kristy discusses her father's tragic and violent murder, and how her life was affected by it. 

Kristy is personally offering a reward of at least $1000 for information that leads to a conviction in her father's case. If you have any information or tips, please call Crime Stoppers of North Delta at 318-388-CASH or the Monroe PD at 318-329-2600.

To learn more about the case, be sure to visit the Facebook discussion group set up by Kristy. You can also check out the petition Kristy kicked off in order to get her father's case looked at with fresh eyes. 

To support and listen AD-FREE to every single epsiode of not only The Murder in My Family, but also to every other show on the AbJack network of podcasts, consider an AbJack Insider subscription through Apple Podcasts. You can start with a free trial, and then for just $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, you'll get not only AD-FREE listening to hundreds of episodes, but also early-previews, and access to bonus content.To contact the podcast or learn more about the case we discuss, please visit The Murder In My Family Home Page

Episode 148 The Hanson Family Murders

In December, 2021, a shocking triple murder happened in Milbank, SD.

29 year old Jessica Hanson, her unborn daughter Annika, who she was 9 months pregnant with, and her 59 year old husband Clyde were murdered in their residence in separate attacks in an act of domestic violence at the hands of Clyde's brother, Brent Hanson. The attacks were brutal; while Jessica was at work, Clyde was beaten to death with a baseball bat in his bed while the Hanson's young son Ty slept nearby. When Jessica returned home from work, she was attacked with a machete, and both she and her baby Annika were killed. Brent Hanson admitted to police that he had committed the murders saying that he 'lost it'.  It came to light that proceeding the murders, Brent  who was living with Jessica and Clyde, had violently attacked Jessica, and when her husband Clyde came to her defense, he too was attacked. Despite the attack on his brother and sister in law, Brent Hanson remained a free man. Following the domestic violence, Jessica and Clyde understndably did not feel safe living with Brent, but he and Clyde co-owned their home, so they decided to essentially sub-divide the residence, and live in one section while Brent lived in another. Sadly, the new living arrangements did not keep them safe from Brent.

Following the tragedy, Jessica's sister Jasmine King tried to adopt her nephew Ty who had survived the ordeal, but South Dakota CPS stepped in and adopted Ty out to another family. To make matters worse, although Jessica's family was pushing for the death penalty, prosecutors without consulting them, agreed to a plea deal with Brent Hanson, and instead of the death penalty, he was sentenced to life in prison. 

This story is tragic all the way around, and has devastated Jessica's family. Despite Jessica's son Ty surviving the violence, they feel he was stolen away from them. In this episode, Jessica's sister Jasmine King discusses the tragic details of this case, and the aftermath which has left her heartbroken. 

If you or someone you know needs help escaping a domestic violence situation, you can seek help by calling the National domestic violence hotline at 800-799-7233

To support and listen AD-FREE to every single epsiode of not only The Murder in My Family, but also to every other show on the AbJack network of podcasts, consider an AbJack Insider subscription through Apple Podcasts. You can start with a free trial, and then for just $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, you'll get not only AD-FREE listening to hundreds of episodes, but also early-previews, and access to bonus content.To contact the podcast or learn more about the case we discuss, please visit The Murder In My Family Home Page Follow us on social media on Facebook or on X (formerly Twitter)

When a charismatic young doctor announces revolutionary treatments for cancer and HIV, patients from around the world turn to him for their last chance. As medical experts praise Serhat Gumrukcu’s genius, the company he co-founded rockets in value to over half a billion dollars. But when a team of researchers makes a startling discovery, they begin to suspect the brilliant doctor is hiding a secret. From Wondery, the new season of Dr. Death: Bad Magic is a story of miraculous cures, magic and murder. Hosted by Laura Beil. Listen to Dr. Death - Bad Magic:   http://wondery.fm/MAGIC_MIMF

Episode 146 Kendrick Jerry

Kendrick Jerry was a man who had a troubled past, but was working to turn his life around. He was focusing on family. The 47 year old father of five sons was excited to find out he had a sixth child on the way; a daughter with his fiancé Arin. Arin was due in October, 2023, but sadly, Kendrick would never see his daughter born. On June 25,2023, Kendrick was shot to death in front of witnesses following an altercation at a Chevron gas station in Columbia County, Florida.  

The shooter, Michael Smith, was questioned by police at the scene and then released without being charged. The lack of an arrest was shocking to Kendrick's grief stricken family. They reached out to various officials, including the governor in an effort to see Michael Smith charged in Kendrick's case. Eventually, a grand jury indicted Smith, and he was arrested and charged with manslaughter, and for using a gun with the serial number filed off of it. Smith posted bail, and was released to await trial. But Kendrick's family feels that there is more than meets the eye here, and that the encounter between Smith and Kendrick was not random. It turns out, Smith was the ex boyfriend of Kendrick's fiancé,  Arin. Arin had alleged that she left him following an abusive relationship, and that she received texts from Michael Smith that threatened both her, and Kendrick. Is this a case of planned or pre-meditated murder? Kendrick's family thinks it may be, and they are seeking justice. In this episode, Kendrick's sister Miranda discusses this frustrating case. 

To support and listen AD-FREE to every single epsiode of not only The Murder in My Family, but also to every other show on the AbJack network of podcasts, consider an AbJack Insider subscription through Apple Podcasts. You can start with a free trial, and then for just $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, you'll get not only AD-FREE listening to hundreds of episodes, but also early-previews, and access to bonus content.To contact the podcast or learn more about the case we discuss, please visit The Murder In My Family Home Page Follow us on social media on Facebook or on X (formerly Twitter)

Episode 145 Robert Gonzalez

In the early morning hours of August 31st, 2013, 21 year-old father of 2, Robert Gonzalez was stabbed 15 times by a group of 4 men in August 2013 as he walked home from a club with his friend in a Chicago neighborhood. His friend was able to escape and tell police what happened. Robert was rushed to an area hospital, but soon died from his wounds. Despite Robert's friend being an eye witness to the attack, and rumors over the years about who may have been involved, there have never been any arrests. The lack of answers and justice has been very hard on Robert's family and friends, most of all his mom Dolores. Now, Robert's children who were very young at the time he was killed, are older and curious, and they want to know what happened to their dad. Dolores is frustrated by the lack of any real progress in the case after 10 years. In this episode, she discusses her son's tragic murder, and the aftermath.

If you have any information about the murder of Robert Gonzalez, please call the Cook County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-535-STOP or the Chicago Police Department at (312) 746-8605.

This episode is sponsored by the Earn In App. Access your pay within minutes of earning it, not weeks. When you download the Earnin app, type in MY FAMILY under PODCAST when you sign up, it really helps this podcast 

To support and listen AD-FREE to every single epsiode of not only The Murder in My Family, but also to every other show on the AbJack network of podcasts, consider an AbJack Insider subscription through Apple Podcasts. You can start with a free trial, and then for just $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, you'll get not only AD-FREE listening to hundreds of episodes, but also early-previews, and access to bonus content.To contact the podcast or learn more about the case we discuss, please visit The Murder In My Family Home Page Follow us on social media on Facebook or on X (formerly Twitter)

Episode 144 Zachary 'Zack' Flyte

In January, 2017, 21 year old Zachary Flyte, or Zack as he was known, was excited to embark on a new chapter in his life. He was going to take a test to get into the police academy. He felt it would be an excellent way to take care of his 3 young children. By all accounts, he was excited for the opportunity, but he would never get the chance. Days before he was supposed to take the test, his mom Jamie would get a heartbreaking phonecall that her son was in the hospital fighting for his life after being shot in the head. According to Zack's girlfriend, Dominique, Zack was at her parents home and had gotten upset over a text she got, and suddently shot himself. Zack died in the hospital after Jamie turned off life support, allowing Zack to help others via organ donation. But things began to trouble Jamie. Doctors found a laceration and bump on his head possibly indicating a struggle before he was shot. She was also concerned that it had taken well over an hour to get Zack to the hospital despite him being 10 minutes from it when he was shot. She also never got his cell phone back even though it was with him when he was shot, and as far as she knows, gun residue tests were never performed on Zack, or on Dominique. These qyestions continue to haunt Jamie. Is she on to something? Could there be more than meets the eye and police rushed to a ruling of suicide, or is she just a grieving mother, unable to accept her son's suicide? In this episode, Jamie discusses the troubling things in Zack's case, and her efforts to find out what really happened.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with thoughts of suicide, there is help. Call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org

To support and listen AD-FREE to every single epsiode of not only The Murder in My Family, but also to every other show on the AbJack network of podcasts, consider an AbJack Insider subscription through Apple Podcasts. You can start with a free trial, and then for just $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, you'll get not only AD-FREE listening to hundreds of episodes, but also early-previews, and access to bonus content.To contact the podcast or learn more about the case we discuss, please visit The Murder In My Family Home Page Follow us on social media on Facebook or on X (formerly Twitter)

Episode 143 Leslie Rodriguez 

27 year old Orlando, Florida resident, Leslie Rodriguez by all accounts was a positive force and good friend to those that knew her. She always had a smile, and brought happiness and positive energy to every situation. Described as a 'ray of sunshine', Leslie was a new mom to a young son, Roman and was looking to the next chapter in her life after breaking off a relationship with Roman's father, 28 year old Devin Griggs. Leslie's mom Eileen, and stepfather moved from Chicago to be closer to Leslie & Roman, and it should have been a great time for their family. But Devin was struggling leading up to the breakup with Leslie, and after, and had gone awol from the military before winding up in Orlando. Leslie had left him after he changed, and he began to act paranoid, and claimed people were watching him. Although Devin had never been violent with Leslie, that would all change on May 9, 2022 when he showed up at Leslie's apartment. Leslie let him in thinking he was there to see Roman, but he had other ideas. He pulled out a gun and shot Leslie multiple times, killing her. He then called 911 and told them what he had done, and that he was about to take his own life. Police raced to the scene but when they arrived, they found both Leslie and Devin dead. Miraculously, little Roman was physically unharmed, but sadly, he witnessed the violent deaths of his parents. 

The senseless and tragic deaths have left two families devastated. Eileen had moved to Florida to be close to her daughter, and instead, she had to make funeral arrangements for her. Now she's focused on raising Roman, and ready to support him with any lingering effects from what he witnessed, and to answer the questions he will surely one day ask. Eileen discusses this tragic case, and whether or not it could have been prevented, and if there was any warning that this might happen.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. They also have a live chat line.

Veterans can also reach out to the Veterans Crisis Line responder. To text, send a  message to 838255.

If you or someone you know needs help escaping from a domestic violence situation, please visit thehotline.org

This episode is sponsored by the Earn In App. Access your pay within minutes of earning it, not weeks. When you download the Earnin app, type in MY FAMILY under PODCAST when you sign up, it really helps this podcast 

To support and listen AD-FREE to every single epsiode of not only The Murder in My Family, but also to every other show on the AbJack network of podcasts, consider an AbJack Insider subscription through Apple Podcasts. You can start with a free trial, and then for just $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, you'll get not only AD-FREE listening to hundreds of episodes, but also early-previews, and access to bonus content.To contact the podcast or learn more about the case we discuss, please visit The Murder In My Family Home Page Follow us on social media on Facebook or on X (formerly Twitter)

Episode 142 Darrell Holderman

On June 1st, 2022, 78 year old Darrell Holderman was working a job as a security guard watching over a prisoner at a Dayton, Ohio area hospital. He wasn't supposed to work that day, but he picked up an extra shift. Despite his age and declining health, Darrell was a hard worker. The beloved father and grandfather had served his country proudly in Vietnam, and just a month a way from his 79th birthday, he had no intentions of slowing down as he was focused on working hard to provide for his family. Without warning the prisoner he was guarding, 30 year old Brian Booth, who was in the throws of detoxing, attacked Darrell and beat him. Darrell who walked with a cane and was losing his eyesight was no match for the prisoner and he was badly beaten and suffered skull fractures before Booth took his gun and shot him in the neck before fleeing with the gun and taking his own life in the hospital parking lot. Sadly, Darrell Holderman did not survive, and his family was devastated by his senseless murder. To make matters worse, in the aftermath, blame seemed to be directed towards Darrell due to his failing health which made things even worse for his family. 

In this episode, Darrell's daughter Nikkie discusses her father's tragic death, and how it has affected his family. 

This episode is sponsored by the Earn In App. Access your pay within minutes of earning it, not weeks. When you download the Earnin app, type in MY FAMILY under PODCAST when you sign up, it really helps this podcast 

To support and listen AD-FREE to every single epsiode of not only The Murder in My Family, but also to every other show on the AbJack network of podcasts, consider an AbJack Insider subscription through Apple Podcasts. You can start with a free trial, and then for just $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, you'll get not only AD-FREE listening to hundreds of episodes, but also early-previews, and access to bonus content.To contact the podcast or learn more about the case we discuss, please visit The Murder In My Family Home Page Follow us on social media on Facebook or on X (formerly Twitter)

Episode 141 Rusty Meye

Rusty Meye was a man who was down on his luck. Living alone in a rented Vero Beach, Florida mobile home, he had battled depression, drinking and overuse of medication brought on by a terrible foot injury he suffered that left him disabled. Rusty had made the decision to stop drinking and not rely on his medications anymore, and was making progress in his life. However, one thing he still faced was financial issues, and an ongoing butting of heads with his landlord who wanted Rusty to find a new place to live. Rusty recounted to people close to him that his landlord constantly verbally abused him, and even threatened to burn the trailer to the ground with Rusty inside it. According to Rusty, the landlord would come into the trailer when he wasn't home. Things were clearly not good for Rusty. Then, on October 17, 2020, 59 year old Rusty Meye was reported missing by his landlord of all people. All of belongings were left behind in his trailer, including his phone, keys, and a wallet with cash inside. Outside of the trailer, Rusty's cars were there. The only thing missing was Rusty himself. 

When Rusty's sister Roxanne traveled to Florida to go through Rusty's things, she was surprised to learn that Rusty's trailer had not been sealed up as a possible crime scene. Inside the trailer, she found blood that had previously been missed by police. Due to the fact that the trailer was no treated as a crime scene, and because of the missed blood, Roxanne quickly came to believe that the investigation into Rusty's case had been bothced, and that her brother was the victim of foul play. Incredibly, the trailer was removed, and according to Rusty's landlord, it was sold.

 Roxanne has actively been trying to keep Rusty's case in the spotlight, and figure out what happened to him. She recently attended Crimecon in an effort to network with people that may be able to help in Rusty's case. Just recently, she found out that Rusty's case has moved from a missing persons investigation to a homicide investgation. In this episode that is a crossover episode with Missing Persons Podcast, Roxanne discusses her brother's case. 

When Rusty vanished he was described as being 5ft9 and 180 lbs. He wore glasses, and had Brown Hair and Brown eyes. He has a tattoo of a lion on his upper right arm, and one of an American flag on his upper back. He walks with a limp.

If you have any information about Rusty Meye, please call the Indian River County Sheriff's office at 772-569-6700. There is a reward in this case.

To learn more about the case, visit his Facebook group. 

This episode is sponsored by Mr. Ballen Podcast: Strange, Dark, and Mysterious Stories on Amazon. 

To support and listen AD-FREE to every single epsiode of not only The Murder in My Family, but also to every other show on the AbJack network of podcasts, consider an AbJack Insider subscription through Apple Podcasts. You can start with a free trial, and then for just $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, you'll get not only AD-FREE listening to hundreds of episodes, but also early-previews, and access to bonus content.To contact the podcast or learn more about the case we discuss, please visit The Murder In My Family Home Page Follow us on social media on Facebook or on X (formerly Twitter)