In August 1989, José, 45, and Kitty Menendez, 47, were shot to death in their Beverly Hills home. Their sons, Lyle, 18, and Erik, 21, would later confess to the killings—setting off one of the most polarizing murder trials in American history. What initially looked like a mob-style hit unraveled into a story of family control, extreme dysfunction, and disturbing allegations of long-term sexual abuse. The trials exposed the private life of a wealthy, image-driven family and forced the public to confront uncomfortable questions about trauma, masculinity, and male child sexual abuse.

Today's snack:  Buc-ee's Beaver Nuggets and Buc-ee's Nug-ees Bold N' Sorta Spicy (thanks Alicia!)

Listen to all three parts today on Patreon: https://patreon.com/LoveMarryKill

In August 1989, José, 45, and Kitty Menendez, 47, were shot to death in their Beverly Hills home. Their sons, Lyle, 18, and Erik, 21, would later confess to the killings—setting off one of the most polarizing murder trials in American history. What initially looked like a mob-style hit unraveled into a story of family control, extreme dysfunction, and disturbing allegations of long-term sexual abuse. The trials exposed the private life of a wealthy, image-driven family and forced the public to confront uncomfortable questions about trauma, masculinity, and male child sexual abuse.

Today's snack: Buc-ee's Ghost Pepper Salsa and Pecan Trio (thanks Alicia!)

Listen to all three parts today on Patreon: https://patreon.com/LoveMarryKill

Sources:

• https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/722-N-Elm-Dr-Beverly-Hills-CA-90210/20519601_zpid/? Menendez home
• Rand, Robert. (2024). The Menendez Murders: The Shocking Untold Story of the Menendez Family and the Killings that Stunned the Nation. (Kindle Edition). BenBella Books. 
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siC_dsDXgKI Oziel’s tape
• https://crimetimelines.com/wp-content/uploads/Letter-from-Erik-Menendez-to-Andy-Cano.pdf
• https://crimetimelines.com/wp-content/uploads/2018-04-10-Letter-from-Marta-Cano.pdf
• https://abcnews.go.com/US/menendez-brothers-burst-tears-emotional-prison-reunion-decades/story?id=54281350 Barbara Walters interview
• https://www.cbsnews.com/news/menendez-brothers-lyle-erik-abuse-claims-supported-by-newly-discovered-evidence-48-hours/
• https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/us/menendez-brothers-chicken-wing-business.html
• https://www.thesecondserve.com/searching-for-craig-cignarelli/
• https://www.biography.com/movies-tv/a64768423/jose-menendez-facts
• https://www.biography.com/movies-tv/a62368160/how-accurate-is-monsters-menendez
• Davis, WG. (2025). Bloodstained Privilege: The Menendez Brothers. (Kindle Edition). Diamondback Publishers International. 
• https://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/menendez-brothers-lyle-erik-jose-kitty-double-murder-murders-killings-homicide-sexual-abuse-allegations-predator-evidence-letter-trial-convicted-true-crime-beverly-hills-home-los-angeles-california
• https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/1994/3/menendez-justice
• http://menendezmurders.com/laybpy-march-1991-killing-jose-menendez/
• https://www.hulu.com/watch/a1ef53b8-4d85-4fac-a73c-073ef072692e
• https://www.newspapers.com/image/155330669/?clipping_id=157760847
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1153/kitty-menendez
• https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/erik-menendez-wife-tammis-relationship-timeline-conjugal-visits-more/
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1995/08/23/the-return-of-the-brothers-grim/6d9fe6c7-2676-4bdf-a60d-2f48ff7361dc/
• https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/erik-menendez-wife-hopes-home-165937004.html
• https://abcnews.go.com/US/menendez-brothers-burst-tears-emotional-prison-reunion-decades/story?id=54281350
• https://www.newsweek.com/menendez-brothers-netflix-monsters-case-lyle-erik-parents-1963308
• https://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/12/10/court.archive.menendez2/index.html?_s=PM:US

Melissa Dawn Patton grew up in a deeply unstable environment and spent much of her life trying to build something safer for herself and her children. Quiet, shy, and trusting, she married young, became a mother almost immediately, and hoped that starting her own family would bring the stability she never had.

Instead, her life became increasingly chaotic. By her early twenties, Melissa was working long hours and trying to leave a volatile, abusive marriage. In late 1998, she disappeared. What followed was years of silence. The only people searching for answers were her family.

Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/lovemarrykill

Today’s snack: Waffle House waffles 


Sources:

• Brown, I. (2024, August 28). Husband indicted in cold case murder of serial killer’s daughter. Court TV.
• Cavallier, A. (2025, August 14). How the capture of a serial killer father led to a breakthrough in his own daughter’s separate murder case. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/cold-case-murder-atlanta-melissa-wolfenbarger-b2807816.html 
• Cavallier, A. (2025). Murder victim’s daughter testifies about chilling statements her father allegedly made about how to hide a body. The Independent.
• Georgia General Assembly. (2023). House Bill 88 (SUB): Coleman-Baker Act.
• Multimedia and Research Notes
• Justice Is A Process!!!! (2025). Prosecutor's Nightmare: DNA Evidence EXCLUDES Defendant | GA v. Wolfenbarger Day 4 [Video transcript]. YouTube.
• McCollum, S. (Host). (2023, February). Melissa Wolfenbarger: Joseph Scott Morgan’s Insight on Melissa’s case | Part 6 (No. 6). In Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum. https://omny.fm/shows/zone-7-with-sheryl-mccollum/melissa-wolfenbarger-joseph-scott-morgan-s-insight 
• [Unknown Author]. (n.d.). Melissa Wolfenbarger research and trial notes.
• r/CrackedColdCases. (2025). 1998: Melissa Wolfenbarger: A serial killer's daughter was decapitated two decades ago. A jury found her husband not guilty for murder. Reddit.
• Unidentified Wiki. (n.d.). Melissa Wolfenbarger. Fandom. https://unidentified-awareness.fandom.com/wiki/Melissa_Wolfenbarger 
• Wikipedia. (n.d.). Carl Patton. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Patton 
• Trial Transcripts (Court TV / Law & Crime)
• Court TV. (2025). GA v. Christopher Wolfenbarger: Trial Proceedings [Transcripts including Opening Statements, Closing Arguments, and Testimony]. https://www.courttv.com/news/ga-v-christopher-wolfenbarger-killers-daughter-murder-trial/ 
• Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum podcast, 9 part series starting 2/22/2023
• 1978.10.25 https://www.newspapers.com/image/972932676/
• 2003.03.07 https://www.newspapers.com/image/422942105/
• 2003.03.08 https://www.newspapers.com/image/422952543/
• 2003.03.19 https://www.newspapers.com/image/423005666/
• 2003.04.10 https://www.newspapers.com/image/424565593/
• 2003.04.15 https://www.newspapers.com/image/424569729/
• 2003.06.22 https://www.newspapers.com/image/649334787/
• 2024.08.08 https://www.newspapers.com/image/1106352246/
• 2024.09.16 https://www.newspapers.com/image/1120767255/
• 2025.08.30 https://www.newspapers.com/image/1244409052/

On February 14, 2013 — Valentine’s Day — the world was stunned by the news that South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius had shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, inside his home in Pretoria. What followed was one of the most closely watched criminal trials of the 21st century — a case that forced the public to grapple with uncomfortable questions about celebrity, justice, gender-based violence, and how much of a public figure’s private life we ever truly see.

Support us on Patreon


Today's snack: South African picnic bread

On December 30, 2025, a missed workday raised alarms. When dentist Spencer Tepe failed to show up for work, concern quickly escalated, leading police to a home in Columbus, Ohio, where Spencer and his wife Monique Tepe were found shot and killed. Their two young children were alive inside the house. There were no signs of forced entry. No struggle. This was not a random act.

GoFundMe for Spencer and Monique’s children: https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-spencer-and-moniques-children 

Sources

• https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/columbus-oh/spencer-and-monique-tepe-12689273
• Asma-Sadeque, S. (2026, January 2). Frantic 911 Calls Reveal Children of Slain Dentist and Wife Were Crying Inside Home Before Couple's Bodies Were Found. People.com. https://people.com/frantic-911-calls-reveal-children-slain-dentist-wife-crying-11878415
• Asma-Sadeque, S., & Flam, C. (2026, January 6). Ohio Dentist and Wife Killings: Police Release New Footage of Person of Interest. People.com. https://people.com/ohio-dentist-wife-killings-police-release-new-footage-person-of-interest-11878988
• Asma-Sadeque, S., & Rice, N. (2026, January 10). Ex-Husband Charged with Murder, Over a Week After Ohio Dentist and Wife Were Found Slain in Their Home Near Their Children. People.com. https://people.com/ex-husband-charged-murder-days-after-ohio-dentist-and-wife-found-slain-in-home-11880043
• Asma-Sadeque, S., & Spargo, C. (2026, January 7). What the 911 Calls from Slain Ohio Dentist's House Reveal About the Crime Scene. People.com. https://people.com/what-911-calls-slain-ohio-dentist-house-reveal-11879502
• Asma-Sadeque, S., & Spargo, C. (2026, January 9). Why Ohio Police Aren't Sharing Many Details About Dentist and Wife's Homicide Investigation. People.com. https://people.com/why-ohio-police-not-sharing-details-dentist-wife-homicide-11879854
• Bajaj, Y. N. (2026, January 11). ‘Why Michael David McKee…’: Big motive question in Monique, Spencer Tepe's Ohio murder case. Hindustan Times. https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/why-michael-david-mckee-motive-question-in-monique-tepe-spencer-tepes-ohio-dentist-shooting-murder-case-101768077433308.html
• Bruner, B. (2026, January 8). 911 call made from Tepe residence in April was not Monique, family says. 10TV.com. https://www.10tv.com/article/news/crime/911-call-made-from-tepe-residence-april-was-not-monique-family-says/530-0cb68aaa-3d14-4aa2-9be1-240c1fdbd79f
• CNN. (2026, January 3). A month before their 5-year anniversary, an Ohio couple was killed in the home where they exchanged vows. Here’s what we know. CTV News. https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/a-month-before-their-5-year-anniversary-an-ohio-couple-was-killed-in-the-home-where-they-exchanged-vows-heres-what-we-know/
• Forensic and Sociological Analysis of the Weinland Park Double Homicide: The State of Ohio v. Michael David McKee. (2026).
• Gallion, B. (2026, January 2). Monique, Spencer Tepe shooting jolts Weinland Park neighbors. Columbus Dispatch. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/crime/2026/01/02/columbus-double-homicide-lack-of-info-shakes-weinland-park-community/72134567007/
• Gayle, L. (2026, January 2). Ohio Dentist and Wife Found Dead Inside Home, 2 Young Children Unharmed in Suspected Murder. People.com. https://people.com/dentist-wife-found-dead-2-children-uninjured-inside-ohio-home-suspected-murder-11878309
• Lyons, J. (2026, January 10). Ex-Husband Charged With Murder in Weinland Park Homicide That Claimed Lives of Spencer and Monique Tepe. Ashland County Pictures. https://ashlandcountypictures.com/post/ex-husband-charged-with-murder-in-weinland-park-homicide-that-claimed-lives-of-spencer-and-monique-tepe/
• Piper, S. (2026, January 3). Athens dentist, wife found dead in Columbus home. The Post. https://www.thepostathens.com/article/2026/01/news-crime-athens-dentist-double-homicide
• Quinn, L. (2026, January 6). What We Know — and Don't — About Slayings of Ohio Dentist and Wife, Found Dead with Sobbing Children Nearby. People.com. https://people.com/what-we-know-dont-about-slayings-of-ohio-dentist-wife-11879021
• Shapiro, E. (2026, January 9). Police chief speaks out about mysterious murders of Ohio dentist, wife: 'Disturbing'. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/US/police-chief-speaks-mysterious-murders-ohio-dentist-wife/story?id=117565551
• Speakman, K. (2026, January 3). Brother-in-Law Remembers Dentist and Wife Found Shot to Death Inside Their Home: 'Never Saw Them Without a Smile'. People.com. https://people.com/brother-in-law-remembers-dentist-wife-shot-death-inside-home-11878696
• Tyagi, Y. (2026, January 11). Who Is Michael David McKee? Monique Tepe’s Ex-Husband Charged With Killing Her And Spencer Tepe. Times Now. https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/who-is-michael-david-mckee-monique-tepes-ex-husband-charged-with-killing-her-and-spencer-tepe-article-153428209

On February 14, 2013 — Valentine’s Day — the world was stunned by the news that South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius had shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, inside his home in Pretoria. What followed was one of the most closely watched criminal trials of the 21st century — a case that forced the public to grapple with uncomfortable questions about celebrity, justice, gender-based violence, and how much of a public figure’s private life we ever truly see.

Listen to part 3 on Patreon today

Today's snack: Malva pudding

Love can be complicated. Marriage can be messy. And sometimes, it ends in murder.

Love Marry Kill is a true crime podcast that explores real-life couples whose relationships turned deadly, and the warning signs that came before everything went wrong.

Support our podcast at: https://patreon.com/lovemarrykill

Follow us on social media:

• https://www.instagram.com/LoveMarryKill
• https://www.facebook.com/LoveMarryKill
• https://www.youtube.com/@lovemarrykill
• https://www.tiktok.com/@lovemarrykillpodcast

Contact us at: [email protected]

Trailer music: "Happy Sun" by Liborio Conti (No Copyright Music CC-BY)

On February 14, 2013 — Valentine’s Day — the world was stunned by the news that South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius had shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, inside his home in Pretoria. What followed was one of the most closely watched criminal trials of the 21st century — a case that forced the public to grapple with uncomfortable questions about celebrity, justice, gender-based violence, and how much of a public figure’s private life we ever truly see.

Listen to all three parts on Patreon today.

Today's snack: Stellar Pretzels

Sources:

• Carlin, John. Chase Your Shadow: The Trials of Oscar Pistorius. Harper, 2014.
• The Life and Trials of Oscar Pistorius, Netflix
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6B-13qTqdQ
• https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6657450/2025/09/26/oscar-pistorius-reeva-steenkamp-legacy/ 
• https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/other-sport/athletics/oscar-pistorius-prison-release-girlfriend-32894430 
• https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/athletics/oscar-pistorius-girlfriend-prison-release-36265400 
• https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-21705374 

In 1988, Russell Stager was shot and killed in Durham, North Carolina. His wife Barbara claimed that Russ kept a gun under his pillow for safety and what resulted was a tragic accident. As investigators dug deeper though, Barbara’s past came back to haunt her.

Support us on Patreon

Today’s snacks: Christmas swig cookies and holiday chocolate chip cookies

Sources:

• Before He Wakes, by Jerry Bledsoe
• https://loriajohnston.medium.com/barbara-stager-shots-in-the-dark-41969347674b 
• https://murderpedia.org/female.S/s/stager-barbara.htm
• https://law.justia.com/cases/north-carolina/supreme-court/1991/212a89-0.html 
• Forensic Files - Season 5, Episode 14: "Broken Promises"
• https://webapps.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0386206&searchOffenderId=0386206&searchDOBRange=0&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

Sarah Widmer was found dead in the bathtub of her Ohio home just 114 days after marrying her husband, Ryan. What initially appeared to be a tragic accident quickly turned into a complicated legal battle involving disputed forensic evidence, questionable investigative decisions, and three separate trials. This case raises enduring questions about science in the courtroom, jury conduct, and whether the justice system ultimately got it right.

Today's snacks: Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes, North Pole Nutty Buddies, Christmas Tree Donuts

Support us on Patreon