PART #1 of 2 - By early 2006, Brandi Mathews had realized it was time to take control of her future. The young Missouri mother had spent years trying to turn her life around. With the support of her family and even the police, Brandi knew it was time to stop being a victim for the sake of both herself and her young son Caleb.

Music Credits:

The Minds Of Madness Theme Music – Duncan Foster

The Funkoars – Feel The Madness

Used with Permission - http://goldenerarecords.com.au/ge/funkoars/

Research & Writing:

Christine Penhale

https://thetruecrimefiles.com/

Featured Podcasts:

Beyond Contempt True Crime - https://beyondcontemptpodcast.com/

Cold Girls - https://podtail.com/en/podcast/cold-girls/

“Feature: 5K to memorialize Brandi Matthews, victim of domestic violence.” Lake Expo, September 9, 2014.

https://www.lakeexpo.com/news/lake_news/feature-k-to-memorialize-brandi-matthews-victim-of-domestic-violence/article_e8799612-3831-11e4-b671-0019bb2963f4.html

“Mother forgives daughter’s killer at sentencing.” Lake Expo, January 9, 2012.

https://www.lakeexpo.com/news/crime/mother-forgives-daughter-s-killer-at-sentencing/article_f8285f00-3a99-11e1-be1f-0019bb2963f4.html

“The murder trial of Kelly Simino, the man convicted of killing Brandi Mathews.” Lake Expo, November 2, 2011.

https://www.lakeexpo.com/news/crime/the-murder-trial-of-kelly-simino-the-man-convicted-of/article_6be867f6-0588-11e1-a155-001cc4c03286.html

“Brandi Mathews’ killer convicted of murder.” Lake Expo, November 1, 2011.

https://www.lakeexpo.com/news/crime/brandi-mathews-killer-convicted-of-murder/article_37c22144-04b9-11e1-b42a-001cc4c03286.html

“Mother of murdered woman expresses gratitude to the Osage Beach Police.” Lake Expo, March 15, 2011.

https://www.lakeexpo.com/news/lake_news/mother-of-murdered-woman-expresses-gratitude-to-the-osage-beach/article_9d41187c-3c23-5584-92f0-d0a9d4e65053.html

“Brandi Mathews: A story of domestic violence, drugs, murder.” Lake Expo, January 9, 2011.

https://www.lakeexpo.com/news/lake_news/brandi-mathews-a-story-of-domestic-violence-drugs-murder/article_96424048-3eeb-5cba-8015-403896019f0b.html

“Missing Woman: Mother says Brandi Mathews helped law enforcement in attempt to escape abusive boyfriend.” Lake Expo, June 12, 2008.

https://www.lakeexpo.com/news/top_stories/missing-woman-mother-says-brandi-mathews-helped-law-enforcement-in/article_36780dfa-ef71-50f9-9fbe-70e3bb06afcb.html 

“Brandi June Matthews.” Find A Grave, n.d.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33197810

“Eldon remains spotlight unsolved cases”

https://krcgtv.com/news/local/eldon-remains-spotlight-unsolved-cases

“Boyfriend of Woman Missing for 3 Years Charged With Murder; Simino Convicted”

http://crimesceneinvestigations.blogspot.com/2011/01/boyfriend-of-woman-missing-for-three.html

“The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence”

https://ncadv.org/

“Interview With Deanna Roberts.” The Minds of Madness, 2019.

“Interview With Osage Beach Detective.” The Minds of Madness, 2019.

“Interview with Kate Hanger.” The Minds of Madness 2019.