Never Light Up A Room Podcast

Join us for episode 31 where we head back to the 1970s to the Defoe family murders that happened in Amityville Long Island in New York. These murders are what sparked the famous Amityville horror hauntings. We go through the events that happened on November 13th 1974 where Ronald Defeo jr would go on to murder his parents and 4 siblings.

Sources:

History.com Editors, “The Amityville murders”, A&E Television Networks, Published February 19th 2024, https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/amityville-horror-true-story-defeo-family-murders, Accessed 10-11-2024  

MD Bastek, “The DeFeo Murders: The Story Behind The Amityville Horror” , Horror Obsessive, Published July 28 2021, https://horrorobsessive.com/2021/04/02/the-defeo-murders-the-story-behind-the-amityville-horror/, Accessed 10-11-2024 

Biography. Com Editors, “The Real 'Amityville Horror': Chilling Facts About the Crime and Haunted House”, Biography, Updated October 14th 2020, https://www.biography.com/crime/the-real-amityville-horror-facts, Accessed 10-11-2024 

Erin Kelly. “The Horrific True Story Of Ronald DeFeo Jr. And The Amityville Murders”, All thats interesting, Published August 7th 2022,  https://allthatsinteresting.com/amityville-murders, Accessed 10-11-2024, 

“Amityville” , Wikivoyage, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Amityville, Accessed 10-11-2024 

This week, in honor of the Candian Thanksgiving holiday, we are covering a series of Thanksgiving related cases. We start by discussing the murder of Brioni Rutland, who was killed by Jeremy Williams over an apparent gambling bet. Then we discuss the murder of Janet Yearly, which went unsolved for 17 years, until 2022. Then we discuss 2 family murders that took place during the Thanksgiving holiday, the Privacky family murders and the Merhige family murders. 

Sources: 

Catherine Boeckmann,  “4 Ways Canadian Thanksgiving Differs From U.S.A.'s Thanksgiving”, Almanac.com, Sept 23, 2024, https://www.almanac.com/content/ways-canadian-thanksgiving-differs-american-thanksgiving, accessed Sept 30, 2024. 

Jeff Somers, “THE MOST FRIGHTENING CRIMES THAT HAPPENED ON THANKSGIVING”, Grunge.com, Feb 7, 2022, https://www.grunge.com/261400/the-most-frightening-crimes-that-happened-on-thanksgiving/, accessed Aug 30, 2024.   

Crystal Bonvillian, Convicted killer of Deshler High coach gets life in prison, AL.com, Jan 28 2016, https://www.al.com/news/huntsville/2016/01/convicted_killer_of_deshler_hi.html#:~:text=Jeremy%20Lashun%20Williams,%2031,%20of%20Florence%20was%20convicted%20in%20November, accessed Sept 30, 2024 

Shraman Mitra, “Bree Rutland Murder: Where Is Jeremy Williams Now?”, TheCinemaholic, Jan 4, 2023, https://thecinemaholic.com/bree-rutland-murder-where-is-jeremy-williams-now/, accessed Sept 30, 2024. 

Matt Christy, “The murder of Janet Yeary: Kokomo cold case closed after 17 years”, Fox59, Jan 14, 2022, https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/kokomo-thanksgiving-murder-cold-case-of-janet-yeary-officially-closed/#:~:text=For%2017%20years%20the%20death%20of%20Janet%20Yeary%20has%20been, accessed Sept 30, 2024. 

“Seth Privacky”, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seth_Privacky#:~:text=Seth%20Stephen%20Privacky%20(June%202,%201980%20%E2%80%93%20July%2015,%202010), accessed Sept 30, 2024. 

“Paul Michael Merhige”, Murderpedia, https://murderpedia.org/male.M/m/merhige-paul.htm#:~:text=WEST%20PALM%20BEACH--%20Prosecutors%20have%20decided%20to%20seek%20the%20death, accessed Sept 30, 2024. 

CNN Wire Staff, “Man admits murdering 4 relatives on Thanksgiving, gets life in prison”, CNN, Oct 28, 2011, https://www.cnn.com/2011/10/27/justice/florida-thanksgiving-killings/index.html#:~:text=After%20hearing%20from%20relatives%20of%20the%20victims,%20Palm%20Beach%20County, accessed Sept 30, 2024. 

Sources

Steve Hodel, “LA and Chicago Autopsy Reports Confirm a Skilled Surgeon Performed “Hemicorpectomy” on Both LA Victim Elizabeth “Black Dahlia” Short and Chicago “Lipstick Murder” Victim Six-Year-Old, Suzanne Degnan”, SteveHodel.com, Feb 27, 2019, https://stevehodel.com/2019/02/27/la-and-chicago-autopsy-reports-confirm-a-skilled-surgeon-performed-hemicorpectomy-on-both-la-victim-elizabeth-black-dahlia-short-and-chicago-lipstick-murder-victim-six-year-old-suzanne-de/, accessed Sept 15, 2024. 

Richard Milner, “THE TRULY HORRIFIC CRIME SCENE OF THE BLACK DAHLIA”, Grunge, April 9, 2021, https://www.grunge.com/378684/the-truly-horrific-crime-scene-of-the-black-dahlia/, accessed Sept 15, 2024. 

Katie Serena, “The Gruesome Story Of The Black Dahlia Murder — And Why The Case Remains Unsolved To This Day”, All That’s Interesting, April 3, 2024, https://allthatsinteresting.com/black-dahlia-elizabeth-short, accessed Sept 15, 2024.  

“Black Dahlia Biography”, TheFamousPeople.com, https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/black-dahlia-35605.php, accessed Sept 16, 2024.  

Kaleena Fraga, “Who Killed Elizabeth Short? 7 Possible Suspects In The Horrifying Black Dahlia Murder”, All That’s Interesting, Sept 8, 2022, https://allthatsinteresting.com/black-dahlia-killer/7, accessed Sept 18, 2024. 

Courtney Fretwell, “The Black Dahlia”, Forensic Tales, March 15, 2020, https://forensictales.com/the-black-dahlia/, accessed Sept 18, 2024. 

Jessica OConnor, “The Disturbing Story Of George Hodel, The S&M-Obsessed Doctor Suspected Of Murdering The Black Dahlia”, All That’s Interesting, Aug 1, 2022, https://allthatsinteresting.com/george-hodel, accessed Sept 18, 2024. 

Steve Hodel, “THE DA GEORGE HODEL-BLACK DAHLIA BUGGING TAPES”, SteveHodel.com, May 28, 2009, https://stevehodel.com/2009/05/28/the_da_george_hodel-black_dahl/, accessed Sept 19, 2024. 

Steve Hodel, “The DA’s Hodel-Black Dahlia Transcripts”, SteveHodel.com, https://stevehodel.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/BDA-II-Chap-6-DA-transcripts.pdf, accessed Sept 19, 2024 

References: 

Morgan Le, “Judge prepares ruling on possible retrial of movie armourer in fatal set shooting by Alec Baldwin”, Toronto Sun, Sept 26, 2024, https://torontosun.com/entertainment/movies/judge-prepares-ruling-on-possible-retrial-of-movie-armourer-in-fatal-set-shooting-by-alec-baldwin, accessed Sept 27, 2024.  

Rebekah Riess, Holly Yan and Devon Sayers, “Georgia school shooter hid an AR-15-style rifle in his backpack and left class with his bag the morning of the deadly rampage”, CNN, Sept 13, 2024, https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/12/us/georgia-school-shooting-colt-gray-ar-15/index.html, accessed Sept 27, 2024. 

Deon J. Hampton and Corky Siemaszko, “The 2 teens and 2 teachers killed in the Georgia school shooting leave behind a trail of grief”, NBC News, Sept 5, 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/2-teens-2-teachers-killed-georgia-school-shooting-leave-trail-grief-rcna169778, accessed Sept 27 

On September 27th 2008 the town of Edson would endure a tragedy as 14 year old Emily Stauffer would be murdered by Ross Kleman while out for a walk on the town's trail system. Join us this week as we go through the case and why this one is near and dear to our hearts.

Sources:

Leo Pare, “Alberta man pleads guilty to killing pastor’s daughter in broad daylight”, Red Deer Advocate, April 26 2010, https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/uncategorized/alberta-man-pleads-guilty-to-killing-pastors-daughter-in-broad-daylight-7029855 ,Accessed 09-11-2024 

Sonia Sunger, “Edson residents say goodbye” , CTV News, October 3 2008, https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/edson-residents-say-goodbye-1.330650 , Accessed 09-11-2024 

CBC News, “Man charged with 1st-degree murder in Edson teen's slaying” CBC News, December 4th 2008, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/man-charged-with-1st-degree-murder-in-edson-teen-s-slaying-1.716489 , Accessed 09-11-2024 

Karen Kleiss,  “Former travelling preacher pleads guilty to fatally slashing Edson pastor’s daughter” Edmonton Journal, April 26th 2010, https://globalnews.ca/news/88174/former-travelling-preacher-pleads-guilty-to-fatally-slashing-edson-pastors-daughter/ , Accessed 09-11-2024  

CBC News, “Kleman confessed to slaying pastor’s child” CBC News, June 8th 2010, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/kleman-confessed-to-slaying-pastor-s-child-1.959780 , Accessed 09-14-2024 

 CTV Edmonton, “Dramatic RCMP video confession of convicted murderer released” ctvedmonton.ca, September 16 2010, https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/dramatic-rcmp-video-confession-of-convicted-murderer-released-1.553141 , Accessed 09-21-2024 

Karyn Mulcahy, “Stauffer family releases statement after plea in daughter’s death”  

Global News, April 27, 2010, https://globalnews.ca/news/62092/stauffer-family-releases-statement-after-plea-in-daughters-death/ Accessed 09-21-2024 

Alexandra Zabjek, “Former preacher faces sentencing for random murder of Alberta teen” , Edmonton Journal, September 14th 2010, https://globalnews.ca/news/97401/former-preacher-faces-sentencing-for-random-murder-of-alberta-teen/ , Accessed 09-21-2024 

Ctvedmonton.ca, “Man accused of killing Edson teen pleads guilty to lesser charge” CTV News, April 26th 2010, https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/man-accused-of-killing-edson-teen-pleads-guilty-to-lesser-charge-1.506264 , Acessed 09-21-2024 

Sources: 

Clare O’Reilly, “PURE EVIL The tragic case of showjumper, 21, killed by ‘devil’ her sister loved – and his twisted attempt to cover up her murder”, The U.S. Sun, June 22, 2024, https://www.the-sun.com/lifestyle/11704690/katie-simpson-murder-creswell/, accessed Sept 4, 2024. 

Keiron Tourish, “Katie Simpson: Family remember a 'brave, caring, funny' daughter”, BBC, April 24, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-68870202, accessed Sept 4, 2024 

“Katie Simpson: Jury in murder trial told accused killed 21-year-old woman due to 'jealousy'”, Derry Journal, April 23, 2024, https://www.derryjournal.com/news/crime/katie-simpson-jury-in-murder-trial-told-accused-killed-21-year-old-woman-due-to-jealousy-4602430, accessed Sept 5, 2024 

John Breslin, “Katie Simpson: Three separate complaints to police after the dying young woman was admitted to hospital”, The Irish News, May 22, 2024, https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/katie-simpson-three-separate-complaints-to-police-after-the-dying-young-woman-was-admitted-to-hospital-4QR4OB4VXJHQFB5UATP4RM673U/, accessed Sept 5, 2024. 

Jennifer O'Leary, “Why did it take so long to look for Katie's killer?”, BBC News, July 23, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c720k0yl80yo, accessed Sept 5, 2024. 

“'Conspiracy of silence' around Katie Simpson's death”, BBC, May 31, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce55mkd006mo, accessed Sept 5, 2024. 

Rebekah Wilson, “Three avoid jail over Katie Simpson death cover-up”, BBC News NI, June 14, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd11vp30wg2o, accessed Sept 5, 2024. 

Anders Anglesey, “Horse trainer who 'murdered showjumper then tried to make it look like suicide' found dead”, Mirror, April 24, 2024, https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/horse-trainer-who-murdered-showjumper-32661237, accessed Sept 5, 2024. 

Hugh Jordan, “LAID TO REST | Killer Jonathan Creswell secretly buried in front of just two mourners”, Sunday World, May 7, 2024, https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/courts/killer-jonathan-creswell-secretly-buried-in-front-of-just-two-mourners/a588085187.html, accessed Sept 6, 2024. 

“Lyle hails 'incredible' Olympic experience”, BBC, July 31, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/articles/cp4wgrp9xqro, accessed Sept 6, 2024. 

Keiron Tourish, “Katie Simpson murder accused had 'violent past', ex-partner says”, BBC News NI, April 25, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-68895803, accessed Sept 6, 2024. 

August 13th 2018 in Fredrick Colorado, the Watts family would be changed forever. Shanann, Celeste, and Bella Watts would end up missing with husband and father Chris Watts at a loss for words of where they could be. With lies, deceit and a massive news following is Chris really telling the truth on not knowing where his family is?

Sources: 

Elise Schmelzer, “Christopher Watts murder investigation: Timeline of the high-profile Colorado case”, The Denver Post, Published August 11,2019 , https://www.denverpost.com/2019/08/11/christopher-watts-murder-timeline-colorado/ , Accessed 08-24-24 

Noelle Phillips, “Christopher Watts, accused of killing his pregnant wife and daughters, faces life in prison”, The Denver Post, Updated August 21st 2018, https://www.denverpost.com/2018/08/21/christopher-watts-frederick-killings-court/ , Accessed 08-24-24  

Mariel Loveland, “What We Learned About The Chris Watts Case From American Murder: The Family Next Door” Nicki Swift, Updated February 21st 2023, https://www.nickiswift.com/259822/what-we-learned-about-the-chris-watts-case-from-american-murder-the-family-next-door/ , Accessed 08-24-24  

Emily Shapiro, “Chris Watts' daughter's heartbreaking last words before he killed her: 'Daddy, no!'”,ABC News, Published March 7th 2019, https://abcnews.go.com/US/chilling-confession-chris-watts-told-police-killed-pregnant/story?id=61477303 , Accessed 08-24-24 

Amy Mackelden, “ A Complete Timeline of the Events in American Murder: The Family Next Door” Bazar, Published October 5th 2020, https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a34258121/american-murder-the-family-next-door-true-story-timeline/ , Accessed 08-24-24  

Elise Schmelzer, ““It’s horrific”: Christopher Watts’ girlfriend speaks out for the first time as sentencing in Frederick murders draws near”, The Denver Post, Updated November 15th 2018, https://www.denverpost.com/2018/11/15/christopher-watts-murder-mistress-nichol-kessinger/ , Accessed 08-24-24 

Steve Helling, “Investigators Reveal How They Learned Chris Watts Was Lying — and that He Killed Pregnant Wife, 2 Daughters”, People, Published October 4th 2022, https://people.com/crime/chris-watts-investigators-reveal-confession-killing-wife-daughters/ , Accessed 08-24-24 

Laura Barcella, “Chris Watts Murder Case: The Most Disturbing Revelations from the Prosecution's Discovery Files” , A&E, Published December 13th 2018,  https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/chris-watts-murder-case-discovery-files-revelations , Accessed 08-24-24  

Ethan Harfenist, “ Chris Watts Provides New Details On Murders Of Wife, Children To Colorado Investigators”, Oxygen True Crime, Published February 28th 2019, https://www.oxygen.com/crime-time/chris-watts-provides-new-details-murders-shanann-daughters-colorado-investigators , Accessed 08-24-24  

“Obituary for Shan’ann Cathryn Watts and Children”, Sandhills Sentinel, Published August 25th 2018, https://sandhillssentinel.com/obituary-for-shanann-cathryn-watts-and-children/ , Accessed 08-24-24  

Gina Tron, “'You Heartless Monster': Chris Watts Sentenced To Life For Killing His Pregnant Wife And Their 2 Daughters”, Oxygen True Crime, Published November 19th 2018, https://www.oxygen.com/crime-time/chris-watts-sentenced-to-life-for-killing-pregnant-wife-shanann-watts-daughters-bella-celeste , Accessed 08-24-24  

Sources:  

Jillian Jalali, “Ep 275: The Wade Wilson Trial”, Court Junkie, Episode 275, Wayfare Recording Co., Aug 6, 2024, https://courtjunkie.com/court-junkie/ep-275-the-wade-wilson-trial/ 

Erin Keller, “Who Are Wade Wilson's Victims Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz?”, Newsweek, June 27, 2024, https://www.newsweek.com/wade-wilson-florida-verdict-victims-1917621#:~:text=A%20Florida%20man%20could%20face%20the%20death%20penalty,hours%20of%20each%20other%20back%20in%20October%202019., accessed Aug 23, 2024. 

Elizabeth Biro, “‘That monster was the last one to talk to her’; victim’s family speaks out against accused murderer”, WINK, Aug 15, 2024, https://winknews.com/2024/06/03/victims-families-speak-against-accused-murderer/, accessed Aug 8, 2024.  

Erin Keller, “Wade Wilson Death Penalty Update: Convicted Killer Sent for MRI Testing”, Newsweek, Aug 21, 2024, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/wade-wilson-death-penalty-update-convicted-killer-sent-for-mri-testing/ar-AA1pcm1t?ocid=BingNewsSerp, access Aug 24, 2024. 

Courtney McGinley , Erin Keller and Eileen Holliday, “Wade Wilson Victim Families Make Promise To Killer: 'See You At Execution'”, News Week, Aug 27, 2024, https://www.newsweek.com/wade-wilson-killer-live-updates-court-1944820, accessed Aug 28, 2024. 

References: 

Kaitlyn Huamani and Andrew Dalton, “What to know about the 5 people charged in Matthew Perry’s death”, AP News, Aug 15, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-arrests-doctor-assistant-3a9230ff6658e6b478751c8c1ec3e430, accessed Aug 29, 2024. 

Josh Campbell and Cheri Mossburg, “Autopsy shows Matthew Perry died of ‘acute effects of ketamine’”, CNN, Dec 16, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/15/entertainment/matthew-perry-autopsy-report/index.html, accessed Aug 29, 2024. 

John O'sullivan, “Walmart's emergency codes explained: From 'Code red' to 'Code brown', know what they signify”, MSN.com, July 3, 2024, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/walmarts-emergency-codes-explained-from-code-red-to-code-brown-know-what-they-signify/ar-BB1plYI8, accessed Aug 29, 2024. 

Anne D’Innocenzio and Alexandra Olson, “Walmart wrestles with how to respond to active shooters”, AP News, Aug 6, 2019, https://apnews.com/general-news-43ee7a174b0641e49a92f71f8e76c7de, accessed Aug 29, 2024.  

Christopher Kokoski, “How To Write a Manifesto: 15 Easy Steps (With Examples)”, Writing Beginner, https://www.writingbeginner.com/how-to-write-a-manifesto/#:~:text=A%20manifesto%20is%20a%20declaration%20of%20an%20idea%2C,like%20a%20book%20or%20the%20Declaration%20of%20Independence., accessed Aug 30, 2024. 

Jeff Somers, “THE MOST FRIGHTENING CRIMES THAT HAPPENED ON THANKSGIVING”, Grunge.com, Feb 7, 2022, https://www.grunge.com/261400/the-most-frightening-crimes-that-happened-on-thanksgiving/, accessed Aug 30, 2024.  

Julia Reinstein, “Thomas Lane, former cop convicted in George Floyd’s death, released from prison”, ABC News, August 20th 2024, https://abcnews.go.com/US/thomas-lane-former-cop-convicted-george-floyds-death/story?id=112982850 , accessed Aug 30, 2024 

Lisa Kadane, “Canada’s mysterious lake monster” BBC, March 10 2020, https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20200309-ogopogo-the-monster-lurking-in-okanagan-lake , accessed Aug 30, 2024 

Anna Kaufman, “Where did not wearing white after Labor DAy come from? FAshion’s famed rule, explained” USA Today, August 12 2022, https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2022/08/12/white-after-labor-day-explained/10269739002/ , Accessed August 30, 2024  

Sources: 

Jody Plauche, “Why Gary Why”, Aug 22, 2019, Inspired Forever Book Publishing   

Tim Brinkhof, Gary Plauché, “The Louisiana Dad Who Took Deadly Revenge On His Son’s Rapist On Live Television”, All That’s Interesting, January 30, 2024, https://allthatsinteresting.com/gary-plauche, accessed Aug 18, 2024. 

Jeremiah Hassel, 'I was kidnapped and raped by my karate teacher - then my dad shot him dead on live TV', Irish Star, Mar 2, 2024, https://www.irishstar.com/news/us-news/jody-plauche-jeff-doucet-shot-32260120, accessed Aug 8, 2024.