The Wounds That Do Not Heal

TWTDNH is a truth-telling podcast on domestic violence, trauma, and systemic injustice. If you’ve survived abuse, loss, or institutional neglect—or work in these spaces—we’re seeking collaborators and experts to help amplify unheard voices. 📧 [email protected]

In this brief update, Tressa returns from a hiatus to share two cases that urgently need attention. The first involves an active international manhunt for a missing Navy reservist after his wife was found deceased under disturbing circumstances. The second honors the life of a soldier whose story has received far too little coverage. With limited information available, this mini‑episode highlights their names, their humanity, and the early details we do know.

Sources for Lina Guerra Case

WAVY‑TV 10, Norfolk, VA
🔗 WAVY News 10 Coverage: https://www.wavy.com

Sources for Sgt. Esther Gitau Case

🔗 “Fort Hood noncommissioned officer sentenced to 26 years for killing wife”
https://www.stripes.com

SOURCES FOR DV VICTIMS, PLEASE ONLY ACCESS FROM A DEVICE YOUR ABUSER DOESN'T ACCCESS!

U.S. Resources

• National Domestic Violence Hotline
  24/7 confidential support via phone (800-799-7233), text (“START” to 88788), and online chat. Offers safety planning, emotional support, and referrals.
• DomesticShelters.org
  Searchable database of over 3,000 shelters and programs across the U.S. and Canada. Includes articles, survivor stories, and healing resources.
• National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV)
  Offers training, technical assistance, and policy advocacy. Hosts VAWnet, a library of research and tools for professionals and survivors.
• Office on Violence Against Women (OVW)
  U.S. Department of Justice site with links to state coalitions, tribal programs, and national hotlines.

🌍 Global Resources

• NO MORE Global Directory
  A comprehensive international directory of domestic and sexual violence helplines and services in nearly every UN-recognized country.
• Hot Peach Pages
  Offers domestic violence information and hotline listings in over 110 languages. Ideal for multilingual and international access.
• Global Network of Women’s Shelters
  Connects shelters worldwide to promote best practices and advocate for survivors globally.
• Pathways to Safety International
  Tailored support for Americans experiencing abuse while abroad—includes legal aid, relocation help, and emergency assistance.

If you’re a service member struggling with mental health:
  • Call 988, then press 1
  • Text 838255
  • Or chat at https://chat.988lifeline.org/

TWTDNH is a truth-telling podcast on domestic violence, trauma, and systemic injustice. If you’ve survived abuse, loss, or institutional neglect—or work in these spaces—we’re seeking collaborators and experts to help amplify unheard voices. 📧 [email protected]

In this episode, listeners are invited into two powerful and heartbreaking stories of young Black women whose lives were cut short while carrying the children they longed to welcome. Through Raquiah King and Akelia Ware’s journeys, the episode explores the devastating intersection of pregnancy, intimate partner violence, and systemic inequities in healthcare and society. With compassion and urgency, the narrative honors their choices, their dreams, and the families left behind, while shining a light on the dangers too often ignored.

More than a recounting of tragedy, this episode is a call to awareness and action. It threads together personal reflection, medical insight, and the voices of loved ones to underscore how bias, silence, and violence continue to endanger women—especially women of color. Listeners will leave not only remembering Raquiah and Akelia, but also carrying forward the reminder that protecting mothers and children means confronting uncomfortable truths and demanding change.

If you are Pregnant and need help immediately:

United States Resources:

Pregnant women needing immediate housing..dialing 2‑1‑1 is the fastest way to connect with local housing resources in the U.S.

• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children Program) → https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic
• Medicaid / Pregnancy Medicaid → https://www.medicaid.gov
• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) → https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/programs/tanf 
• Good Counsel Homes (Maternity Homes in NY/NJ) → https://www.goodcounselhomes.org
• Homeless Prenatal Program (San Francisco, CA) → https://www.homelessprenatal.org
• Dial 2‑1‑1 (U.S.) → https://www.211.org

🌍 Global Resources

• UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) → https://www.unfpa.org
• International Rescue Committee (IRC) → https://www.rescue.org
• Save the Children → https://www.savethechildren.org
• Marie Stopes International (MSI Reproductive Choices) → https://www.msichoices.org

Domestic Violence Support:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.) → https://www.thehotline.org
• Women’s Aid (UK & International) → https://www.womensaid.org.uk

If you are a veteran struggling with your mental health please dial 988 and press 1. YOU MATTER.

TWTDNH is a truth-telling podcast on domestic violence, trauma, and systemic injustice. If you’ve survived abuse, loss, or institutional neglect—or work in these spaces—we’re seeking collaborators and experts to help amplify unheard voices. 📧 [email protected]

This episode traces the story of Danielle Rippeon, a young woman from Northern California whose search for love and stability led her into a whirlwind relationship with a newly enlisted soldier. What began as a fast‑moving romance soon revealed cracks—jealousy, control, and fear quietly shaping her daily life.

Set against the backdrop of military culture, weapons expertise, and the pressures of young marriage, Danielle’s story unfolds with mounting tension. What appears from the outside as a couple building a future together becomes, behind closed doors, something far more troubling.

🔗 Sources for This Episode

• 🔗 The News Tribune – Editorial on the Skylar Nemetz case
• 🔗 Crime Desk (Medium) – The Tragic Story of Skylar Nemetz That Ended in the Loss of Young Life
• 🔗 CBS News / 48 Hours – Coverage by Erin Moriarty (segment featuring Skylar Nemetz and his mother)
• 🔗 Washington State Court of Appeals records (Tacoma, WA) – Case filings and rulings on Nemetz’s appeal
• 🔗 Police reports and testimony – Officer Darrell Moore’s account at the scene (referenced in trial coverage)

Sources for Domestic Violence Help

• 🇺🇸 🔗 National Domestic Violence Hotline – 24/7 confidential support via phone (1‑800‑799‑SAFE), text, or online chat
• 🇺🇸 🔗 State Resources Directory – U.S. Office on Women’s Health – Find local programs and shelters by state

🌍 Global Resources

• 🌍 🔗 NO MORE Global Directory – International directory of domestic and sexual violence helplines and services in over 200 countries
• 🌍 🔗 DomesticShelters.org – International Organizations – Global network of shelters, hotlines, and advocacy groups

Veterans Crisis Line (988)

• 🔗 Veterans Crisis Line – 988, then Press 1
  Confidential support for veterans, service members, and their families. Available 24/7 by dialing 988 and pressing 1, or through chat and text options on the site.

TWTDNH is a truth-telling podcast on domestic violence, trauma, and systemic injustice. If you’ve survived abuse, loss, or institutional neglect—or work in these spaces—we’re seeking collaborators and experts to help amplify unheard voices. 📧 [email protected]

Jaymee Prichard was a devoted mother of three. Jaime Sue Gustitus was a decorated Air Force officer. Both were deeply loved, deeply accomplished—and both were killed in a calculated act of violence by someone they knew.

In this episode, we walk through the limited facts released by law enforcement, examine the public speculation swirling around the case, and challenge the dangerous narratives that often follow intimate partner homicides. What happened in Greene County was not a mystery of passion—it was a deliberate, devastating loss.

We don’t know the full story. But we know this: Jaymee and Jaime Sue deserved better. And their legacy will not be defined by the man who took their lives

🔗 Sources for Today’s Show

• 🔗 Dayton Daily News
  “Taken too soon: Families mourn, describe Wright-Patt victims of murder-suicide” — Emotional tributes and law enforcement updates.
• 🔗 WLWT Cincinnati
  “Three Wright-Patterson workers dead after suspected double-murder suicide” — Timeline and police statements.
• 🔗 Wright-Patterson AFB Official Site
  “Incident Involving Wright-Patt Personnel Under Investigation” — Formal military response and investigation details.

🌍 Global Domestic Violence Resources:

• UN Women – Ending Violence Against Women
  Offers global advocacy, survivor support, and country-specific resources.
  🔗 unwomen.org
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.-based, with global guidance)
  24/7 confidential support via phone, chat, and text. While U.S.-based, they offer guidance for international callers and referrals.
  🔗 thehotline.org | Call: +1-800-799-7233
• Women’s Aid (UK)
  Offers support, education, and refuge services across the UK, with resources relevant to international survivors.
  🔗 womensaid.org.uk
• DomesticShelters.org
  A searchable database of shelters and services across North America, with educational articles and safety planning tools.
  🔗 domesticshelters.org

🛡️ Veteran-Specific Mental Health Resources

• VA Mental Health Services
  The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers counseling, therapy, substance use treatment, and support for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and more.
  🔗 va.gov/mental-health
• Vet Centers
  Community-based counseling centers that provide confidential support for combat veterans, survivors of military sexual trauma, and those adjusting to civilian life.
  🔗 vetcenter.va.gov
• MakeTheConnection.net
  A powerful site filled with real stories from veterans, plus tools to find help based on your specific needs.
  🔗 maketheconnection.net

🧭 What You Can Do Right Now

• Call 988 and press 1 if you're in crisis or need to talk.
• Visit a Vet Center or VA facility near 

TWTDNH is a truth-telling podcast on domestic violence, trauma, and systemic injustice. If you’ve survived abuse, loss, or institutional neglect—or work in these spaces—we’re seeking collaborators and experts to help amplify unheard voices. 📧 [email protected]

In this episode, Tressa confronts the brutal reality of how systems designed to protect victims often do the opposite. Through the story of Megan Montgomery—a vibrant, hopeful woman whose life intersected with law enforcement, the courts, and a culture of institutional silence—we explore the devastating consequences of unchecked power and delayed justice.

From the moment Megan met Jason McIntosh, a police officer with a history of violence, the warning signs were there. But like so many women, Megan did what she was “supposed” to do: she filed protective orders, sought help, and tried to escape. What followed was a chilling unraveling of legal loopholes, judicial delays, and systemic failures that allowed her abuser to remain armed, employed, and dangerously close.

This episode dives deep into the intersection of domestic violence, law enforcement, and the legal system’s complicity. We examine how stalking, firearm access, and institutional loyalty create a perfect storm for intimate partner violence—and why education, accountability, and reform are not optional, but urgent.

If you’ve ever wondered why survivors stay silent, why restraining orders fall short, or how abusers manipulate the very systems meant to stop them—this episode will leave you shaken, informed, and ready to demand better.

Megan Montgomery Charitable Foundation:

🔗About Us - Megan Montgomery Foundation

Here are key sources that document Megan Montgomery’s story and the systemic failures surrounding her case:

The main source for today’s show:
🔗 "The End of The World as I Knew It" by Heather Buckner – Good Housekeeping

🔗Upworthy
Offers a comprehensive overview of Megan’s relationship with Jason McIntosh, the abuse she endured, and the tragic events leading to her death. Includes quotes from her mother and highlights the invisibility of domestic violence behind curated social media images.

🔗WVTM13 News
Features interviews with Megan’s family and friends, reflecting on her life, her advocacy goals, and the creation of the Megan Montgomery Foundation. Emphasizes the emotional toll and the family's commitment to turning grief into action.

🔗People Magazine
Details Jason McIntosh’s guilty plea, Megan’s efforts to help other victims, and her writings during recovery. Includes courtroom statements and reflections from her family about the long-term impact of the abuse.

Resources for survivors and those seeking support (please access only from a device your abuser cannot access):

• National Domestic Violence Hotline
  24/7 confidential support via call, chat, or text. Call 800-799-7233 or text “START” to 88788.
• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
  The nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. Offers a 24/7 hotline and online chat: 800-656-HOPE (4673).
• NCADV (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence)
  Advocacy, education, and resources for survivors and allies working to end domestic violence.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
  If you’re struggling with mental health, dial 988 for free, confidential support—available to everyone, including law enforcement officers.

TWTDNH is a truth-telling podcast on domestic violence, trauma, and systemic injustice. If you’ve survived abuse, loss, or institutional neglect—or work in these spaces—we’re seeking collaborators and experts to help amplify unheard voices. 📧 [email protected]

What happens when the very institutions sworn to protect us become the breeding ground for unchecked violence? In this searing episode, we step outside Hawaii—to confront the brutal murder of Tashianna Blake, a mother of two, whose life was stolen by her military husband in a calculated act of cruelty. Her story, set against the backdrop of Fort Carson’s bloody legacy, exposes a chilling pattern: men with no combat history, no PTSD, but a dangerous thirst for control.

From narcissistic manipulation to stolen valor, we examine how military systems fail to screen for sociopathy—and how women pay the price. 

Stay tuned for updates on the sentencing of Ruby Tenorio’s killer, and the upcoming trial of Dana Alotaibi’s estranged ex-husband, who stands accused in the gruesome deaths of Dana and her unborn son.

🔍 Verified Sources for the Case of Tashianna Blake

• Dermot Blake’s conviction and sentencing:
• A former Fort Carson soldier, Dermot Blake, was found guilty of first-degree murder for shooting his wife, Tashianna Blake, in front of their two daughters. He received a mandatory life sentence without parole.
•  Court documents revealed that Blake forced Tashianna to apologize before delivering the final shots, and that both daughters witnessed the murder

If you’re experiencing DV—please explore the resources below using a device that your abuser cannot monitor. 

U.S. Resources

• National Domestic Violence Hotline
  24/7 confidential support via phone (800-799-7233), text (“START” to 88788), and online chat. Offers safety planning, emotional support, and referrals.
• DomesticShelters.org
  Searchable database of over 3,000 shelters and programs across the U.S. and Canada. 
• National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV)
  Offers training, technical assistance, and policy advocacy. 
• Office on Violence Against Women (OVW)
  U.S. Department of Justice site with links to state coalitions, tribal programs, and national hotlines.
• State-by-State Resource Directory
  From the Office on Women’s Health—clickable map of DV coalitions and services in every U.S. state and territory.

Global Resources

• NO MORE Global Directory
  A comprehensive international directory of DV & sexual violence helplines and services in nearly every UN-recognized country.
• Hot Peach Pages
  Offers DV information & hotline listings in over 110 languages. 
• Global Network of Women’s Shelters
  Connects shelters worldwide for advocates/survivors globally.
• Pathways to Safety International
  Tailored support for Americans experiencing abuse while abroad

If you’re a service member struggling with mental health:
  • Call 988, then press 1

TWTDNH is a truth-telling podcast on domestic violence, trauma, and systemic injustice. If you’ve survived abuse, loss, or institutional neglect—or work in these spaces—we’re seeking collaborators and experts to help amplify unheard voices. 📧 [email protected]

This episode centers on the Ruby Alcantara case—a brutal, underreported tragedy that exposes the military’s systemic failures in handling domestic violence.

Tressa brings listeners into the devastating story of Ruby Alcantara, a military wife whose murder was met not with outrage, but with silence. In this episode, Tressa doesn’t just recount Ruby’s case—she dissects the institutional complicity that allowed it to happen, and the quiet plea deal that followed. 

Through Ruby’s story, Tressa challenges listeners to confront the reality: justice isn’t just delayed—it’s denied. 

Tressa provides a brief update on the woman found dead under suspicious circumstances at Schofield Barracks on 9/11. 

Sources for victims of domestic violence: 

If you’re experiencing domestic violence—whether in the U.S. or internationally—please explore the resources below using a device that your abuser cannot monitor. Your safety comes first, and these tools are here to support you

🇺🇸 U.S. Resources

• National Domestic Violence Hotline
  24/7 confidential support via phone (800-799-7233), text (“START” to 88788), and online chat. Offers safety planning, emotional support, and referrals.
• DomesticShelters.org
  Searchable database of over 3,000 shelters and programs across the U.S. and Canada. Includes articles, survivor stories, and healing resources.
• National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV)
  Offers training, technical assistance, and policy advocacy. Hosts VAWnet, a library of research and tools for professionals and survivors.
• Office on Violence Against Women (OVW)
  U.S. Department of Justice site with links to state coalitions, tribal programs, and national hotlines.

🌍 Global Resources

• NO MORE Global Directory
  A comprehensive international directory of domestic and sexual violence helplines and services in nearly every UN-recognized country.
• Hot Peach Pages
  Offers domestic violence information and hotline listings in over 110 languages. Ideal for multilingual and international access.
• Pathways to Safety International
  Tailored support for Americans experiencing abuse while abroad—includes legal aid, relocation help, and emergency assistance.
• UN Women Global Database
  Tracks government measures to combat violence against women and girls in 194 countries. Useful for policy research and advocacy.

If you’re a service member struggling with mental health:
  • Call 988, then press 1
  • Text 838255
  • Or chat at veteranscrisisline.net

Have you survived domestic violence, sexual trauma, or the loss of a loved one to murder? Have you faced systemic failures that deeply impacted your life or family? TWTDNH is a podcast confronting the realities of domestic violence, murder, untreated PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and institutional neglect. It’s a space for truth-telling — where stories are met with compassion, visibility, and dignity. Now seeking fellow podcasters and subject matter experts to help amplify voices the system has failed to hear. 📧 [email protected]

A young mother is found dead in military housing on Oahu. No press release. No transparency. Just silence—and a suspicious narrative being pushed.

In this episode, I take you inside the investigation that military leadership won’t talk about. Thanks to anonymous tips from insiders on base, I’ve successfully identified the victim, uncovered disturbing details about the scene, and spoken directly with her grieving mother—who’s being stonewalled at every turn.

Why was the toddler found outside with child locks engaged?
 Why is the husband under 24/7 supervision but still protected?
 Why is the family being denied answers, access, and told they cannot ask any questions or contact command?

I believe this is another case of domestic violence buried by the system. And I won't stop asking questions until we find the truth.

If you’ve ever felt isolated as a military spouse, if you’ve ever questioned how deep the cover-ups go, or if you just want to know the truth about what happened to this young mother at Schofield—listen now.

And if you’re in an unsafe relationship, I end this episode with a warning that could save your life.

💔 Help Haley’s Mom Fight for Answers

Heather Spence is being denied answers and forced to fight for justice from thousands of miles away.

She’s been told she can come to Hawaii to advocate for her daughter—but the costs are all on her: flights, lodging, legal support. And Hawaii isn’t cheap.

If you can give even a dollar, it helps.
 If you can’t donate, please share.

🔗 GoFundMe for Haley’s Family

⚖️ Are You a Lawyer Willing to Help?
Heather needs legal guidance. She’s being shut out by command and told not to contact anyone. If you’re a lawyer—especially in Hawaii—or have experience with military law, family law, or advocacy for victims’ families, please consider offering pro bono support. She needs to know things like: 

• Can she demand to see her daughter’s body?
• Can she speak to the coroner?
• What rights does she have as Haley’s mother?
• Can she fight for custody of Haley’s daughter?

📧 Contact: [email protected]

🕵️‍♀️ Have Insider Information? Speak Up.
If you’re stationed at Schofield Barracks…
If you saw something…
If you know something…
Even small details could help Haley’s family get answers and expose the truth.

📧 Same contact: [email protected]

Your voice matters. Your silence protects no one. Let’s make sure Haley’s story isn’t buried. Let’s help her mom get to the island and demand the truth.

DV VICTIMS please access the following resources from a safe (non-monitored) computer: 

U.S. Resources

• National Domestic Violence Hotline
  24/7 confidential support via phone (800-799-7233), text (“START” to 88788), and online chat. Offers safety planning, emotional support, and referrals.

🌍 Global Resources

• Global Network of Women’s Shelters
  Connects shelters worldwide to promote

Have you survived domestic violence, sexual trauma, or the loss of a loved one to murder? Have you faced systemic failures that deeply impacted your life or family? TWTDNH is a podcast confronting the realities of domestic violence, murder, untreated PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and institutional neglect. It’s a space for truth-telling — where stories are met with compassion, visibility, and dignity. Now seeking fellow podcasters and subject matter experts to help amplify voices the system has failed to hear. 📧 [email protected]

To every service member and family at Schofield Barracks:
Please help me find her name. Her family or friends.
You may have seen something. Heard something. Know something.
Now is the time to speak. Silence protects no one.

Schofield Barracks… I’m coming for you.
I will not let you keep burying women—and their stories.
This must end.

Note: Dana Alotaibi is pronounced Donna. I know this, and made a mistake speaking hastily.
Her story matters. So does this one.

Apologies for the editing errors—this was an impromptu recording. I needed to release it immediately.

If you have any tips, information, or leads:
📧 Email me at [email protected]

TWTDNH is a truth-telling podcast on domestic violence, trauma, and systemic injustice. If you’ve survived abuse, loss, or institutional neglect—or work in these spaces—we’re seeking collaborators and experts to help amplify unheard voices. 📧 [email protected]

Natasha Soto Rivera was a Marine, a newlywed, and a new mother whose life radiated promise. At just 20, she was thriving in one of the most male-dominated branches of the military. But behind the celebration, something darker was brewing.

This episode traces Natasha’s journey—from boot camp to ballroom, through the joy of motherhood to a night that should have been magical-—but wasn’t. Her story deserves to be heard—loudly, clearly, and without apology. We begin to unravel the silence and honor her legacy.

Also in this episode: updates on Ruby Tenorio’s murder investigation and a disturbing case involving a Naval wife found dead in a Japanese hotel room.

Ruby Araceli Tenorio Obituary (2024) - Cookeville, TN - Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Homes & Cremations Services - Baxter Cha

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

📚 Sources Covering Natasha Soto Rivera’s Case

Fredericksburg Free Lance–Star (Virginia)
This local paper was one of the first to report and is cited in this episode. It provided key details from the police affidavit, including Rodolfo’s 911 call and the forensic findings of a “brutal” beating.

NBC Washington – Court Documents
Includes quotes from the affidavit obtained by the Free Lance–Star, and outlines the timeline of events following the Marine Corps Ball. 

🕊️ Natasha Soto Obituary – Reading 

If you’re experiencing DV—please explore the resources below using a device that your abuser cannot monitor. 

U.S. Resources 

• National Domestic Violence Hotline
  24/7 confidential support via phone (800-799-7233), text (“START” to 88788), & online chat. Offers safety planning, emotional support, & referrals.
• DomesticShelters.org
  Searchable database of over 3,000 shelters & programs across the U.S. & Canada. 

Global Resources

• NO MORE Global Directory
  A comprehensive international directory of DV & sexual violence helplines & services in nearly every UN-recognized country.
• Hot Peach Pages
  Offers DV information & hotline listings in over 110 languages. 
• Pathways to Safety International
  Tailored support for Americans abused while abroad

If you’re a service member struggling with mental health:
  • Call 988, then press 1