In this episode of Murderish, I interview John Meehan’s (AKA Dirty John) first wife, Tonia Bales. You might remember Tonia from the wildly popular Dirty John podcast, where listeners got to hear recorded phone calls between John and Tonia. John’s threats to Tonia during those calls made the hair on my arms stick up. During the interview, Tonia talks about those phone calls and her motivation behind staying on the phone with John even after he threatened her.   MURDERISH now has a Patreon page! If you’d like to support the Podcast, and get special perks in exchange, click here: www.patreon.com/murderish  Follow MURDERISH on social media:Facebook: MURDERISH Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/540494462961219/     Twitter: @MurderishPod https://twitter.com/MurderishPodSend comments and inquiries to: MurderishJami@gmail.comMURDERISH merch now available at two online stores (t-shirts, mugs & other cool stuff):Threadless online store https://murderishpodcast.threadless.com/TeePublic online store http://tee.pub/lic/-c0zMWCpN-IPodcast Promos: Ignorance Was Bliss & Murder Was the Case (listen & subscribe!)Episode Sponsors:Freshly | Go to freshly.com/Podcast for $25 off your first order!Sudio Sweden | Go to sudio.com and use promo code MURDERISH for 15% off!This episode was Edited, Mixed and Mastered by John Bukenas of Audio Editing Solutions www.audioeditingsolutions.com. Need a great audio editor? John B. is your guy!Intro/Outro music in this episode: Paul Fitzgerald “jenuflec.” Contact Paul at weydebway@hotmail.co.uk if you’re interested in working with him to create music for your podcast …or any project!Remember, listening to this podcast doesn’t make you a murderer …it just means you’re murder-ish!
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Tonia Bales, Dirty John’s First Wife | Murderish 009

MURDERISH is a true crime podcast that delves into true stories of murder, disappearances and other creepy events. Also featured on the podcast are in-depth interviews with high-profile people in the true crime community. This podcast will take you on a deep-dive journey through interesting cases, beginning the date of the crime and ending with the courtroom verdict. If you are fascinated by true crime, and all that embodies the genre, this podcast will appeal to you. Listening to this podcast doesn't make you a murderer, it just means you're murder-ish.

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In December of 1992, Justin Hopper, was making plans to move and get a fresh start. He was a high school senior at the time when he found himself in a dangerous situation. Justin had been selling drugs, and his instincts told him he needed to get out of that lifestyle before something bad happened. Justin was much more than a drug dealer, though. He was a kind-hearted, caring guy with a sentimental side. He was a football player who maintained good grades in school. Justin shared his plans to escape the lifestyle he was living with his close friend, Suzi. Sadly, Justin had no idea that he only had a few more weeks to live after sharing his plans with Suzi. Justin would never get the fresh start he desired because two gun-loving classmates had other plans for him.

Let’s get social: Follow MURDERISH on Instagram & TikTok @MurderishPodcast. We’re also on Facebook.
Visit murderish.com to learn more about Jami and the podcast. You can also buy merch & sign up to become a MURDERISH | Behind the Mic Patreon member and get access to exclusive perks. 
Listening to this podcast doesn’t make you a murderer, it just means you’re murder …ish.
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Best of MURDERISH: E8 "Justin Hopper Murder"

When two people meet, it’s exciting when there’s a mutual, instant affection for one another. It doesn’t always happen but when it does, it’s special. On rare occasions, however, a seemingly special human connection can actually be a bad thing, and in even more rare instances, it can lead to deadly consequences. The case we’re examining in this episode begs the question …would someone have died if two people had not had the opportunity to meet?

A 1954 murder case out of New Zealand shocked the world due, in part, to the highly unlikely perpetrators. Honora Parker was savagely murdered on June 22, 1954. Though her murder case was easily solved, a striking revelation about the case didn’t fully come to light until 40 years later. 

Follow Jami on Instagram & TikTok @JamiOnAir and join the Serial Streamers true crime TV club!

Subscribe to Jami’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@jamionair

Sponsors
Greenlight: Visit greenlight.com/murderish to get your first month free.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Visit ASPCApetinsurance.com/murderish to explore coverage.
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Dirty Money Moves: Women in White Collar Crime - Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dirty-money-moves-women-in-white-collar-crime/id1619521092.

Lipstick & Lies - Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lipstick-lies/id1704189120?i=1000625570159

Want to advertise on this show? We’ve partnered with Cloud10 Media to handle our advertising requests. If you’re interested in advertising on MURDERISH, please send an email to Sahiba Krieger sahiba@cloud10.fm and copy jami@murderish.com. 

Research & Writing: Alison Schwartz

Visit Murderish.com for more info about the show and Creator/Host, Jami, as well as a list of sources for this episode. 

Ad-Free episodes: Visit https://www.patreon.com/Murderish to join MURDERISH | Behind the Mic and get access to bonus episodes, ad-free episodes, and other cool perks.

Listening to this podcast doesn’t make you a murderer, it just means you’re murder..ish.

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Honora Parker: “Deadly Diary Entries”丨MURDERISH Ep. 159

In April of 2016, Air Force veteran and hospice nurse Tricia Todd mysteriously vanished from a tranquil beachside town. The 33-year-old mother of one was vivacious, compassionate, and well-liked in her community. No one could ever imagine she would abandon her young daughter, and the notion of someone wanting to harm her was equally unfathomable. Years of secrecy obscured a daunting truth, one that wouldn’t be fully unveiled until it was much too late.

Let’s get social: Follow MURDERISH on Instagram & TikTok @MurderishPodcast. We’re also on Facebook.
Visit murderish.com to learn more about Jami and the podcast. You can also buy merch & sign up to become a MURDERISH | Behind the Mic Patreon member and get access to exclusive perks. 
Listening to this podcast doesn’t make you a murderer, it just means you’re murder …ish.
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Best of MURDERISH: E70 "Tricia Todd, Faith & Forgiveness"

On September 29, 2020, the Iskander family of six went out for an evening stroll in their Westlake Village neighborhood having no idea of the tragedy that lay ahead. On that same evening, wealthy socialite Rebecca Grossman was having drinks at a local Westlake Village restaurant with Royce Clayton and Scott Erickson, two former major league baseball players. After downing margaritas, Grossman and Erickson got into their expensive cars and headed toward Grossman’s nearby condo to hang out. At some point, the two decided to race each other through the residential neighborhood. At that exact moment, Nancy Iskander and her three sons were crossing the street. Before they could respond, Rebecca Grossman and Scott Erickson came racing toward them in their vehicles fueled by bravado tequila. One of the vehicles struck two of the Iskander boys, Mark and Jacob, killing them. Three and a half agonizing years later, Rebecca Grossman went on trial for Mark and Jacob’s murder.  The headline-making trial resulted in a surprising verdict. 

Mark and Jacob Iskander foundation: MarkAndJacobFoundation.org

Follow Jami on Instagram & TikTok @JamiOnAir and join the Serial Streamers true crime TV club!

Subscribe to Jami’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@jamionair

Sponsors
Beis: Visit beistravel.com/MURDERISH for 15% off your first purchase.
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Thrive Market: Visit thrivemarket.com/MURDERISH for 30% off your first order + a free $60 gift.
Reel Paper: Visit reelpaper.com/MURDERISH for 30% off your first order + free shipping.
Nom Nom: Visit trynomnom/MURDERISH for 50% off.

Dirty Money Moves: Women in White Collar Crime - Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dirty-money-moves-women-in-white-collar-crime/id1619521092.

Lipstick & Lies - Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lipstick-lies/id1704189120?i=1000625570159

Want to advertise on this show? We’ve partnered with Cloud10 Media to handle our advertising requests. If you’re interested in advertising on MURDERISH, please send an email to Sahiba Krieger sahiba@cloud10.fm and copy jami@murderish.com. 

Research & Writing: K. Brant. 

Visit Murderish.com for more info about the show and Creator/Host, Jami, as well as a list of sources for this episode. 

Ad-Free episodes: Visit https://www.patreon.com/Murderish to join MURDERISH | Behind the Mic and get access to bonus episodes, ad-free episodes, and other cool perks.

Listening to this podcast doesn’t make you a murderer, it just means you’re murder..ish.
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Mark & Jacob Iskander: “Will Privilege Sway a Socialite’s Punishment?“ | MURDERISH Ep. 158

In this episode of Serial Streamers Jami recaps the docuseries, Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife. The 2023 Netflix docuseries highlights the story of Dr. Paolo Macchiarini, who is a world-renowned thoracic surgeon known for his work in regenerative medicine. For years, people believed Dr. Macchiarini was a trailblazer in the medical field and someone who worked tirelessly to save lives by transplanting lab-made organs into patients. What people didn’t know was that Dr. Macchiarini was extremely reckless in his approach and fully aware that his poor track record, coupled with faulty plastic organs, would very likely lead to death. Yet, the conman persisted. 

Jami gives listeners a solid Cliffs Notes version of the docuseries, and doesn’t hold back on how she feels about the man who she believes is a low-budget version of George Clooney’s ugly distant cousin, at best. 

Follow Jami on Instagram & TikTok @JamiOnAir and join the Serial Streamers true crime TV club! Serial Streamers club members “meet” in the comments on Jami’s Instagram, TikTok and YouTube channel and share their thoughts and opinions about the documentaries we’re watching. 

Watch Serial Streamers on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jamionair and subscribe so you don’t miss out on the latest documentary recaps.

Check out Jami’s other podcasts:

Dirty Money Moves: Women in White Collar Crime: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dirty-money-moves-women-in-white-collar-crime/id1619521092.

Lipstick & Lies: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lipstick-lies/id1704189120

Want to advertise on this podcast? We’ve partnered with Cloud10 Media to handle our advertising requests. If you’re interested in advertising on MURDERISH, send an email to Sahiba Krieger sahiba@cloud10.fm with a copy to jami@murderish.com. 

Visit Murderish.com for more info about the show and Creator/Host, Jami Rice.

Remember, cults are stupid, Ted’s Bundy is ugly, scammers suck at life ...and binging true crime documentaries IS self care!
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Tonia Bales, Dirty John’s First Wife | Murderish 009

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