Joan Robinson Hill and her husband, Dr. John Hill, were the darlings of Houston’s high society in the 1960s. Joan was a champion equestrian from one of Houston’s wealthiest families, and John was a successful plastic surgeon with a love for classical music. They were young, attractive, and seemed to have it all—a picture-perfect couple moving through a world of horse shows, charity events, and fancy parties. 

But behind the scenes, things weren’t as perfect as they seemed. Joan and John were opposites in many ways, and their differences caused tension from the start. To make matters worse, Joan’s father, Ash Robinson, was a major presence in their lives. He was fiercely protective of Joan and had no problem getting involved in her marriage, which only added more strain. By 1969, the cracks in their relationship couldn’t be ignored any longer. The problems in their marriage came to a head, setting off a chain of events that would stretch over six years and leave a trail of heartbreak, betrayal, and tragedy for everyone involved.

Hear part 3 today by supporting us on Patreon.

Today's snack: Kolaches

Joan Robinson Hill and her husband, Dr. John Hill, were the darlings of Houston’s high society in the 1960s. Joan was a champion equestrian from one of Houston’s wealthiest families, and John was a successful plastic surgeon with a love for classical music. They were young, attractive, and seemed to have it all—a picture-perfect couple moving through a world of horse shows, charity events, and fancy parties. 

But behind the scenes, things weren’t as perfect as they seemed. Joan and John were opposites in many ways, and their differences caused tension from the start. To make matters worse, Joan’s father, Ash Robinson, was a major presence in their lives. He was fiercely protective of Joan and had no problem getting involved in her marriage, which only added more strain. By 1969, the cracks in their relationship couldn’t be ignored any longer. The problems in their marriage came to a head, setting off a chain of events that would stretch over six years and leave a trail of heartbreak, betrayal, and tragedy for everyone involved.

Join us on Patreon to hear all three parts today.

Today's snack: Texas caviar

Sources:

• Thompson, Thomas (2001). Blood and Money (reprint ed.). Running Press. ISBN 978-0-78670-947-2. 
• https://casetext.com/case/hill-v-robinson-4 
• https://abc11.com/post/iconic-texas-mansion-murder-home-1561-kirby-market/14856894/ 
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC8iAlY5WI4 
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/99420354/lilla-paulus 
• “Family of ‘Blood and Money’ victim Hill can’t collect.” Corpus Christi Caller, Jun 19, 1982, p. 11B.
• Kelly, Lee. “Novel Killings: ‘Blood and Money’ murder feud fosters multitude of libel suits.” Waco Tribune-Herald, Apr 22, 1980, p. 8C.
• “Toxic syndrome may have killed Houston heiress.” The Miami Herald, Nov 24, 1980, p. 6D.
• Arrillaga, Pauline. “Blood & Money: 30 years after Houston murders, the mystery lives on.” Abilene Reporter-News, Mar 21, 1999, p. 4A.
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18763073/ann_louise-kurth#:~:text=Ms.,the%20Hyltin%2DManor%20Funeral%20Chapel 
• https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/5914c4f2add7b049347d0da0 
• https://www.nytimes.com/1977/08/30/archives/family-of-slain-texas-surgeon-sues-exfatherinlaw-for-76-million.html 
• https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/court-of-criminal-appeals/1976/51364-7.html 
• https://www.aspentimes.com/news/local/jim-calaway-remembered-for-legacy-of-giving-back/

Chris Benoit known as the Canadian Crippler or the Rabid Wolverine was a WWE star in the 22nd year of a storied career. He was known to be a wrestler’s wrestler- one of the most technically proficient athletes among the corps of actors and performers. Chris Jericho once said Chris Benoit was the “most intense and believable performer I’ve ever been in the ring with. He could see things that were going to happen before they happened.” Chris won many heavyweight and tag team championships, and he’d made a lot of money doing it. He was doing exactly what he’d wanted to do for his entire life- since he was 3-years-old. His friends and colleagues all knew him to be a respectful, reserved and polite family man. So, it came as quite a shock to everybody when he and his family were found dead under suspicious circumstances, in their sprawling Fayetteville, Georgia home. This is the story of a woman, her child, and to some extent, a man, who were failed by the very institution that should have protected them.The question on everyone’s mind…could the tragedy have been prevented?

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Today's snack: Orange Julius and Skittles Pop'd

Chris Benoit known as the Canadian Crippler or the Rabid Wolverine was a WWE star in the 22nd year of a storied career. He was known to be a wrestler’s wrestler- one of the most technically proficient athletes among the corps of actors and performers. Chris Jericho once said Chris Benoit was the “most intense and believable performer I’ve ever been in the ring with. He could see things that were going to happen before they happened.” Chris won many heavyweight and tag team championships, and he’d made a lot of money doing it. He was doing exactly what he’d wanted to do for his entire life- since he was 3-years-old. His friends and colleagues all knew him to be a respectful, reserved and polite family man. So, it came as quite a shock to everybody when he and his family were found dead under suspicious circumstances, in their sprawling Fayetteville, Georgia home. This is the story of a woman, her child, and to some extent, a man, who were failed by the very institution that should have protected them.The question on everyone’s mind…could the tragedy have been prevented?

Listen to both parts on Patreon now.

Today's snacks: Levain Bakery Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sources:

• https://concussioninc.net/?p=497 Benoit 911 calls
• Benoit: Wrestling with the Horror that Destroyed a Family and Crippled a Sport - collected essays by Steven Johnson, Heath McCoy, Irvin Muchnick and Creg Oliver
• Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America, by Abraham Josephine Riesman
• Chris and Nancy: The True Story of the Benoit Murder-Suicide & Pro Wrestling’s Cocktail of Death, by Irvin Muchnick
• https://www.autopsyfiles.org/reports/Celebs/benoit,%20chris_report.pdf Chris’ autopsy report
• https://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Sunday-subscriber-advantage-WWE-steroid-385857.php#page-1
• https://www.biography.com/athletes/andre-the-giant
• https://youtu.be/0b90OweR0n4?si=d8ZIkwEA_FNkz0wW
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_9hGvpkvws&ab_channel=Scott%27sWrestlingCollection
• https://ezproxy.bu.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fwire-feeds%2Frepeated-concussions-led-wrestler-chris-benoits%2Fdocview%2F360118700%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D9676 (STUFFCO, JERED. "Repeated Concussions Led to Wrestler Chris Benoit's Suicide: CBC Documentary." The Canadian Press, Feb 05 2008, ProQuest. Web. 1 Nov. 2024)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgOdvHHXlr4&ab_channel=MrAdrenaline1982
• https://archive.ph/20120629093200/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive2000/jan14_ins.html
• https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/jay-white-details-life-inside-njpw-dojo
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBXZIr6DP-c&t=47s
• https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3320736
• https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/phil-carroll-astin-doctor-chris-benoit-passes-away-age-67
• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Nq6UZR8YjNHQb56lZ6kuXqlnxJAoSPclc5hh-qfKa48/edit?tab=t.0

In January 2019, Danielle Redlick frantically called 911. She said she believed her husband, Michael Redlick, was deceased. A heart attack, she thought. But as more details of the story emerged, it was clear this was no heart attack. The story Danielle told was full of holes. The question is, would a jury believe her?

Today's snack: French silk pie

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

Sources:

• https://www.courttv.com/trials/fl-v-redlick-2022/
• https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2019/02/06/ucf-faculty-members-wife-said-he-stabbed-himself-police-say-she-killed-him-tried-to-cover-it-up/
• Taking the Stand. S2.E1, Danielle Redlick.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S3E7VdhX-k  (911 call)
• https://www.thefloridatriallawyer.com/homicide/second-degree-murder/ (Florida murder statutes)
• https://www.ucf.edu/news/redlick-will-remembered-helping-next-generation-students-succeed/ 
• Lotan, Gal Tziperman, et al. “Police: UCF faculty member’s wife fatally stabbed him and tried to cover it up.” The Orlando Sentinel, Feb 7, 2019, p. B1.
• Weiner, Jeff. “Redlick ordered held without bail on murder charge.” The Orlando Sentinel, Feb 8, 2019, p. B2.
• Schneider, Mike. “Ex-Grizzlies executive is stabbed to death.” The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tennessee), Feb 8, 2019, p. A8.
• Lotan, Gal Tziperman. “Judge: Kids can visit mom in jail.” The Orlando Sentinel, Apr 3, 2019, p. B2.
• Cordiero, Monivette. “Woman accused of stabbing a UCF faculty member’s husband could see her children testify against her.” The Orlando Sentinel, May 24, 2019, p. B2.
• Weiner, Jeff, et al. “She saw it as a bloody end to their marriage.” The Orlando Sentinel, Jun 7, 2019, p. A1.
• Cordiero, Monivette. “Woman accused of killing husband asks for bond.” The Orlando Sentinel, Nov 28, 2019, p. B2.
• Cordiero, Monivette. “Judge permits lawyers’ strategy.” The Orlando Sentinel, Mar 13, 2020, p. B1.
• Cordiero, Monivette. “Woman says she’s a victim of fake probe.” The Orlando Sentinel, Dec 8, 2020, p. B1.
• Cordiero, Monivette. “Trial to begin for Winter Park woman accused of killing husband.” South Florida Sun Sentinel, Jun 6, 2022, p. A5.
• Cordiero, Monivette. “Home like a ‘horror movie’.” The Orlando Sentinel, Jun 10, 2022, p. A1.
• Garza, Lisa Marie. “Wife’s letter to slain husband read.” The Orlando Sentinel, Jun 11, 2022, p. A3.
• Cordiero, Monivette. “Daughter: Mom said dad had heart attack.” The Orlando Sentinel, Jun 14, 2022, p. A1.
• Cordiero, Monivette. “Redlick testifies she stabbed husband amid attack.” The Orlando Sentinel, Jun 15, 2022, p. A1.
• Cordiero, Monivette. “Redlick hoped heart attack killed husband.” The Orlando Sentinel, Jun 16, 2022, p. A1.
• Cordiero, Monivette. “Redlick’s fate now in jury’s hands.” The Orlando Sentinel, Jun 17, 2022, p. A1.
• Cordiero, Monivette. “Redlick found not guilty of murder.” The Orlando Sentinel, Jun 18, 2022, p. A1.
• Cordiero, Monivette. “Redlick gets probation for evidence tampering.” The Orlando Sentinel, Aug 6, 2022, p. A1.

On a hot South Carolina afternoon in July, 2018, Lana Clayton frantically flagged down a passerby. She told him her husband, Steven Clayton, had fallen down the stairs and she feared he was dead. The initial investigation concluded that Steven had a heart attack. But Steven’s relatives felt like something wasn’t right, and pushed for an autopsy. Would the truth emerge before it was too late?

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Today’s snack: Breton Water Crackers and Pimento Cheese

Sources:

• https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lana-steve-clayton-eye-drop-poison-suffer-48-hours/
• https://abcnews.go.com/US/woman-sentenced-25-years-prison-poisoning-husbands-drinking/story?id=68330116
• Autopsy: The Last Hours of… S13.E18, “Mysterious Death of Steven Clayton”
• Accident, Suicide or Murder. S4.E13, “Drop by Drop”
• https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/heraldonline/name/steven-clayton-obituary?id=9605586 
• https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2019/07/20/philanthropist-steven-d-clayton-laid-to-rest-a-year-after-his-death/ 
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S235200782200155X 
• Dys, Andrew. “York Co. woman confesses to poisoning husband, charged with murder.” The Herald (Rock Hill, South Carolina), Sep 1, 2018, p. A1.
• Dys, Andrew. “Police: Wife charged in husband’s death tried suicide.” The Herald (Rock Hill, South Carolina), Sep 6, 2018, p. A1.
• Dys, Andrew. “‘16 incident gets a new review.” The Herald (Rock Hill, South Carolina), Sep 12, 2018, p. A1.
• Dys, Andrew. “Accused wife says she can’t pay for lawyer.” The Herald (Rock Hill, South Carolina), Oct 10, 2018, p. A1.
• Dys, Andrew. “Woman pleads guilty in Visine poisoning death of husband.” The Herald (Rock Hill, South Carolina), Jan 17, 2020, p. A1.

In January 1982, Lynette Dawson, a loving wife and mother, vanished from the suburbs of Sydney, Australia. Her husband, Chris Dawson, a former professional rugby player and local celebrity, insisted that she left voluntarily. Lyn’s family and friends initially believed his story but as the years passed with no contact from Lyn, their suspicions of foul play grew. It wasn’t until decades later that a true crime podcast called The Teacher’s Pet reignited public interest in the case. Cries grew louder for a thorough investigation to finally be done which ultimately lead to justice for Lyn and her family.

Today's snacks from Finland (Thanks Jarna!): Fazer Alku Pehmeä Granolapala mustikka, Ruissipsi Makea Chili, Karl Fazer Milk chocolates, Finnish Flavours christmas liquorice mix

Special holiday bonus episode!

Christmas time, 1927, in the small central Texas town of Cisco. It’s a fast-growing, bustling town thanks to the oil boom of the early 20s. Two days before Christmas, children are laughing, shopkeepers are busy, and families are preparing for festive gatherings. But no one knows that Christmas is about to take a dark, bloody turn. Santa Claus is coming to town – but he’s not bringing presents.

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Snacks: Peppermint meltaway cookies, gochujang caramel cookies, chocolate chip cookie bark, Christmas monster cookies

Sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus_Bank_Robbery 
• https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/santa-claus-bank-robbery 
• https://www.wideopencountry.com/the-great-santa-claus-bank-robbery/ 
• https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/609749/santa-claus-bank-robbery-1927 
• https://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/archive/html/exec/governors/15.html
• “Charges filed as bank raid story told by youth.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Apr 11, 1926, p. 10.
• “Valera robber given 18 years.” Fort Worth Record-Telegram, May 5, 1926, p. 10.
• “Pardons asked for Valera robbers.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Aug 26, 1926, p. 9.
• “Ratliff held in corpus for Cisco police.” Abilene Reporter-News, Nov 6, 1927, p. 1.
• “Wounded Cisco bank bandit brought here: Police chief dies, shot by robbers.” Fort Worth Record-Telegram, Dec 24, 1927, p. 1.
• “Four Cisco bank robbers still at large.” Wichita Falls Times, Dec 24, 1927, p. 1.
• “2 girls taken by Cisco bandits are left when car abandoned.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dec 24, 1927, p. 1.
• “Cisco chief dead; two dying.” Abilene Reporter-News, Dec 24, 1927, p. 1.
• “Remaining robbers surrounded Tues. in Young County.” Corsicana Semi-Weekly Light, Dec 27, 1927, p. 1.
• “‘Santy’ bandit shot, caught.” The Brownsville Herald, Dec 27, 1927, p. 1.
• “Posse prepares for attack: Two remaining bandits of bank holdup in Cisco trapped near South Bend.” Abilene Reporter-News, Dec 28, 1927, p. 1.
• “‘Maw’ tells story of Helms ‘going on long trip’; made Santa mask.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dec 31, 1927, p. 6.
• “99 years in Cisco bandit case.” Abilene Daily Reporter, Jan 27, 1928, p. 1.

In January 1982, Lynette Dawson, a loving wife and mother, vanished from the suburbs of Sydney, Australia. Her husband, Chris Dawson, a former professional rugby player and local celebrity, insisted that she left voluntarily. Lyn’s family and friends initially believed his story but as the years passed with no contact from Lyn, their suspicions of foul play grew. It wasn’t until decades later that a true crime podcast called The Teacher’s Pet reignited public interest in the case. Cries grew louder for a thorough investigation to finally be done which ultimately lead to justice for Lyn and her family.

Listen to both parts today on Patreon

Today's snack: Anzac biscuits

Sources:

• https://www.realestate.com.au/property/2-gilwinga-dr-bayview-nsw-2104/ 
• https://www.thatslife.com.au/true-crime/hedley-thomas-the-teachers-pet/ 
• https://www.dailypress.net/life/features/2023/03/if-a-partner-has-ever-strangled-you-they-will-likely-kill-you/
• https://www.abc.net.au/news/backstory/2022-09-10/20-years-australian-story-lyn-dawson-coverage-wendy-page/101418452
• The Teacher's Pet podcast
• https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/current-affairs/what-happened-to-lyn-dawson-missing-mothers-daughter-shanelle-finally-speaks-out/news-story/1297b92a8ba94329463643e7a16cab00  
• https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6149045/Lynette-Dawsons-daughter-makes-chilling-admission-admits-loves-dad.html 
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzavCU9YH1E 
• https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/chris-dawson-murder-trial-inside-the-case-that-gripped-a-nation/news-story/ef5224494ab2eb3dca0639a2ac771ee1
• https://www.couriermail.com.au/breaking-news/inside-lynette-dawsons-last-christmas-before-she-disappeared/news-story/c74b20fcdf1062ea0395ba350dcba581
• https://www.couriermail.com.au/breaking-news/teachers-pet-journalist-heldley-thomas-takes-stand-in-chris-dawson-trial/news-story/f570d71ed601e9bd4b5b141c28726cf2
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bNEqyFNi68&t=577s 
• https://www.theaustralian.com.au/podcasts/teachers-pet-podcast-nsw-police-dropped-the-ball-on-lyn-dawsons-case/news-story/9255c107a6f25ca88f75b392c1801ca7
• https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/the-historical-offence-of-carnal-knowledge-in-new-south-wales/
• https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-13/nsw-chris-dawson-appeal-quashed/103974084
• https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-01/mcculkin-triple-murder-odempsey-dubois-jail-sentence-brisbane/8568476
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gB9xVshLHIk
• https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/marriage/accused-murderer-chris-dawsons-other-family/news-story/2b841795911e289f9e67e377317f7770

Marie and Frank Hilley seemed to be living the American dream in their hometown of Anniston, Alabama. They met while still in school and had two kids. Frank was moving up at the foundry where he worked, and Marie brought in extra income as an executive secretary. But, in the mid-seventies, trouble started finding the Hilley family. Unexplained illnesses, arson, nuisance calls, money problems, extortion, and more. It would take years for the mystery to unravel.

Today's snack: Eli's cheesecake and Jay's Hot Stuff potato chips

Merch available at: merch.lovemarrykill.com 

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