Crime and Conjure

We all know the holidays can be stressful and domestic violence cases tend to increase around Christmas due to the increase in stress, financial burdens and alcohol consumption. This case is about a devastating murder that took place on Christmas day. Police were sure it was an open and shut case, but after a closer look, not everything was what it seemed.

To end the season, we are bringing you a case of what should be a joyful occasion that quickly turns into a mystery. What happens when your beloved neighbor goes missing? In today’s world, we’d likely check our phones or security cameras for clues, but in the past, people relied on gut feelings and community awareness. But what happens when that trust is broken and the comfort of the community is replaced by fear?

Thursday November 28th 1991 was no ordinary Thanksgiving day. Sure, most American families were bustling around the kitchen preparing the big meal, socializing with the extended families they only entertain on holidays, or gathered around the TV watching the big game. But in Costa Mesa, California something far more disturbing was taking place.

Picture this: it’s nighttime, and there’s a knock at your door. You answer, only to find complete strangers standing there. In 2024, we’d probably check a doorbell camera or get a quick text from someone letting us know they were coming. Let’s be real, most of us barely open the door during the day! But back in the 1990s, people usually answered without a second thought. It was a different time, with less to fear. But here’s the question: could who’s standing at your door sometimes make fear take over common sense? And in certain cases, could that fear be influenced by things like race or how someone looks?

Pregnancy is a difficult, vulnerable and beautiful time in a woman’s life. The mother-to-be spends her time planning for the birth of her perfect little baby and trying her best to get through each day and each new struggle in her rapidly changing body. It is absolutely unthinkable that there are people out there so entitled that they would attempt to take everything from an innocent expectant family. Unfortunately that is exactly what happened in today’s case.

When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. Do not disregard their violent behavior, and step away before you become part of their path of destruction. Today, I want to share a case with you that didn’t just impact the people directly involved but also sparked broader questions about legal processes and international cooperation. 

How does the perfect marriage suddenly devolve into anger, abuse and even murder? The answer, it doesn’t. There are always signs. Sometimes they are well hidden, sometimes we just don’t want to see them, but they’re there. You tell yourself they didn’t mean it, or it was just a joke. But When someone shows you who they really are, believe them.

Growing up in such a rural area, Farmland always surrounded me. We Washingtonians take full advantage of the harvest here, whether we are picking fresh produce or visiting the farmer's market on the weekends. Though we get to bask in the end result of a great growing season, we don't know all the work that goes into it. Farming is often cited as the most dangerous job in America, and the accidents that take place can result in severe injuries and sometimes even death. Today, I want to share a story that may leave you wondering, "Was this death just another unfortunate accident, or was something larger at play?"

Do we really know anyone fully? Celebrities present a persona we as fans feel connected to but what are they really going through behind closed doors? Even close friends keep secrets and paint a pretty picture to hide the hurt from those closest to them. This is a case of violence and anger behind closed doors, so carefully hidden that even those who knew the truth didn’t believe it.

What begins as a simple evening with friends and a routine journey home would change the fabric of a community and ignite a nationwide outcry. Today, I want to share one woman's story that doesn't just account for personal loss but is also a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by women everywhere and the enduring quest for justice in the face of unspeakable violence.