Join us in this heartfelt episode as Maria Liza reflects on the complexities of grief, loss, and the search for justice during the holiday season. She delves into the profound impact of cumulative grief, specifically Grace and Greg, marking four difficult Christmases without them. Maria Liza also shares juggling parenting responsibilities and navigating the intricate web of legal challenges while seeking some kind of closure for her family.

On the 3-year anniversary of the deaths of Greg and Grace, the pain and suffering continue for each of us, in different ways and for various reasons. Imagine for a moment how we felt when critical evidence was shared with us after Morales’ sentencing that could have changed the course of our case—a case where the defendant(s) have yet to show us any remorse or accountability, even working hard to create a narrative that blames others. The defense was granted a 6-month extension to prepare for the adult transfer hearing, but when the plaintiff was assigned a new District Attorney only two weeks before the adult transfer started, he was denied an extension request and not allowed the same courtesy to prepare. Reflecting on these moments brings pause to wonder what if this vital information had been accessible all along, never making its way into the courtroom. Who should be held accountable to acknowledge this critical fact and make it right for the victims' family? What should the repercussions be, and don’t we all want to ask WHY?

In this episode, we take a closer look at the developing narrative surrounding the tragedy that have affected countless individuals. Throughout the last year, significant new information has surfaced that could have shifted the trajectory of our case. Maria Liza confronts the persistent inaccuracies in media portrayals, shedding light on the serious misrepresentations at play. Additionally, this episode highlights the deep frustrations felt by victims and their families regarding the perpetrators, raising questions about their responsibility while underscoring the suffering they endure. Listeners are invited to examine the misrepresentations of juvenile justice that persist in the public eye. Committed to prioritizing truth over perception, this episode explores personal identity amidst tragedy, fostering a deeper understanding and advocacy for those affected. Join us as we seek the truth, revealing a clearer path forward.

In Part II of Whatever It Takes, Maria Liza and Jeff discuss a troubling family that attempted to take the girls out of state. They emphasize the importance of having a trust and a will in place, and express heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported them since November 2022, especially during another recent family death. 

In this episode, Maria Liza brings insights from some community members, along with a troubling discovery from juvenile rehabilitation that highlights concerns. She also reveals a finding from juvenile rehabilitation in San Mateo County that emphasizes the need for a focus on victims who are intended to be considered, yet have not received the necessary attention in the 30 months since the crime occurred.

Happy 45th Birthday Grace! I love you.

I had been contemplating what to say regarding Kyle Harrison's sentencing for the past few weeks. However, after hearing about his passing this weekend, I felt it was important to share my initial thoughts.

In Part I of Whatever It Takes, my husband, Jeff, and I delve into how our lives changed in a heartbeat on the night of November 4, 2022, along with the subsequent developments that have occurred. There's a lot to unpack and discuss!

Maria Liza talks about the failures of the current judicial system with her friends, who have supported her since her family's tragedy. They've attended court on significant dates and express how the system has failed the victims, particularly as street racing has become increasingly common.

In this episode, Maria Liza shares her victim impact statement and her requests for sentencing. Since the time of this recording, it was confirmed that Judge Etezadi did not consider any of Maria Liza's requests. Additionally, defense attorney Nowack mentioned during the sentencing that Mr. Morales was unable to write an apology letter due to a pending civil lawsuit.