TRUE CRIME with Bratterstein

As always, thank you for hanging out and remembering Dawn Viens with me today.

In October 2009, 39-year-old Dawn Marie Viens, co-owner of a small restaurant in Lomita, California, vanished without a trace. Her husband, chef David Viens, claimed she had left on her own. Days later, terrified friends came forward—Dawn had disappeared from both her home and her familiar routine.

Authorities eventually uncovered a chilling pattern: financial purchases ceased, Dawn left her car and possessions behind, and text messages sent from her phone contained a key spelling error—“Pixy” instead of her usual “Pixie.”

Under intense investigation, David attempted suicide by jumping off a cliff. While hospitalized, he confessed to accidentally causing Dawn’s death during an argument. He claimed she choked after being restrained—a story later compounded by an even more horrifying account: that he boiled her remains for four days, disposing of the “liquid” in the restaurant grease trap, tossing discarded bone fragments in the trash, and hiding her skull in his mother's attic.

David was convicted of second-degree murder in 2012 and, in March 2013, sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. He later stated his confession about cooking Dawn was the product of hallucinations while recovering from surgery—but the jury remained unconvinced.

On the morning of March 8, 2018, 22-year-old Haley Anderson, a nursing student at Binghamton University and beloved daughter and sister from Westbury, New York, disappeared. She had recently ended an off‑and‑on relationship with fellow nursing student Orlando Tercero, who had previously been suspected of slashing her tires during their tumultuous breakup.

Security footage confirmed Haley and Orlando entered his apartment early that morning. Later that day, he fled the country, boarding a flight to Nicaragua. Concerned friends eventually broke into the residence and discovered Haley’s body in his bed—with bruising and ligature marks indicating she had been manually strangled and possibly asphyxiated by her necklace.

After an international manhunt, Tercero was arrested in Nicaragua on March 13. Extradition was blocked due to dual citizenship, so he was tried there. In November 2019, he was convicted of femicide and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

As always, thank you for hanging out and remembering Melissa Jenkins with me today. Melissa Jenkins was a beloved 33-year-old high school science teacher and single mother living in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. On the night of March 25, 2012, Melissa received a call from Allen Prue, a man she had previously hired to plow her driveway. He claimed he and his wife, Patricia Prue, were having car trouble and needed help. Always willing to lend a hand, Melissa left her home with her 2-year-old son in tow to assist them. That would be the last time anyone saw her alive. Her car was later found abandoned, engine still running, with her young son alone and unharmed inside. The discovery sparked a frantic search across Vermont and the surrounding areas.Two days later, Melissa Jenkins' body was found in the Connecticut River, partially naked and showing signs of strangulation and sexual assault. Allen and Patricia Prue were arrested and charged with her brutal murder. The couple had lured Melissa under false pretenses, with Allen later admitting they had planned to “get a girl” that night. The case shocked the nation and devastated the local community, especially because of Melissa’s reputation as a kind, compassionate teacher and mother. The horrifying murder of Melissa Jenkins is a chilling reminder that sometimes, the most dangerous people are the ones who seem familiar.

As always, thank you for hanging out and remembering Brenda Powell with me today.

On March 3, 2020, 50-year-old Brenda Powell, a beloved child-life specialist at Akron Children’s Hospital, was viciously attacked in her home. Her daughter, 19-year-old Sydney Powell, struck her with an iron skillet and stabbed her nearly 30 times in the neck—while Brenda was on the phone with university officials who had just discovered Sydney was suspended from college for failing grades.

The school staff overheard screams and thuds, prompting them to call the police. Police found Sydney in a catatonic state outside the home. During the trial, mental health experts testified that she suffered a psychotic episode due to schizophrenia, while the prosecution maintained her actions were deliberate.

A jury ultimately convicted Sydney on two counts of murder, felonious assault, and evidence tampering—and she was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison, eligible for parole after 15 years.

As always, thank you for hanging out and remembering Georgia Williams with me today. In May 2013, 17-year-old Georgia Williams was brutally murdered by 23-year-old Jamie Reynolds, a man with a history of violent behavior. Georgia, an aspiring RAF cadet, was lured to Reynolds’ home under the false pretense of helping with a photography project. Once there, Reynolds trapped her in a sadistic plan, strangling her to death in a simulated hanging. He then sexually assaulted her lifeless body and took disturbing photographs. To cover up his crime, Reynolds sent misleading text messages from Georgia’s phone, making her family believe she was safe. Her body was later discovered in woodland near Wrexham, Wales. Reynolds was arrested, convicted of her murder, and sentenced to a whole-life term in prison.The murder of Georgia Williams revealed significant police failures, as Reynolds had previously been flagged as a risk due to his violent tendencies but was not properly monitored. Despite warnings about his dangerous behavior, Reynolds was not adequately restrained, allowing him to carry out his horrific crime. The case sparked widespread outrage, especially from Georgia’s parents, who criticized the systemic lapses in protecting vulnerable individuals. This tragic case highlights the dangers posed by sexual deviants like Reynolds, who had disturbing obsessions with violent pornography. The murder of Georgia Williams underscores the need for better preventive measures and more rigorous monitoring of individuals with violent histories.

As always, thank you for hanging out and remembering Gloria Gary with me today.

In early 2017, 49-year-old Gloria Gary disappeared from her Des Moines, Iowa, home. Nine months later, her body was discovered—concealed inside her own house, hidden in a manner so discreet that family members didn’t realize she was there.

The investigation led to 22-year-old Kyle Jepson, who admitted the killing was sexually motivated, according to court testimony. He pled guilty to second-degree murder and burglary. Ultimately, Jepson was sentenced to 60 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 35 years.

As always, thank you for hanging out and remembering Micaela Rae Costanzo with me today.

On March 3, 2011, 16-year-old Micaela “Mickey” Costanzo disappeared after leaving school in West Wendover, Nevada. Two days later, her body was found buried in a shallow grave in nearby gravel pits. She had been beaten and stabbed, and a plastic tie around her arm suggested she had been forced there.

Investigators focused on two classmates: 18-year-old Kody Patten and his girlfriend, Toni Fratto. They had a turbulent relationship and both gave conflicting accounts. Patten eventually confessed that an argument at the gravel pits escalated violently — resulting in Mickey’s death — and that he buried her body. Fratto later admitted she helped hold Mickey down and struck her, but her story shifted several times during the investigation.

In April 2012, Fratto pled guilty to second-degree murder with a deadly weapon and received life with parole eligibility after 18 years; her parole was denied in 2021. Patten took a plea deal for first-degree murder, avoiding the death penalty, and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

As always, thank you for hanging out and remembering Pamela Horowitz with me today. Scott Dyleski was found guilty of the brutal 2005 murder of Pamela Vitale, the wife of high-profile defense attorney Daniel Horowitz. The 16-year-old was convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances, leading to a life sentence without parole. Evidence against him included his own blood at the crime scene, Pamela’s blood on his clothing, and disturbing writings detailing violent fantasies. The prosecution argued he took pleasure in the killing, even carving a symbol into Pamela’s back. During sentencing, Pamela’s family delivered heartbreaking impact statements, with her husband calling Dyleski remorseless and likening his actions to those of infamous serial killers. Despite appeals and claims of wrongful conviction, Dyleski’s life sentence was upheld. However, due to evolving laws on juvenile sentencing, he is now eligible for parole in 2030.Pamela Vitale’s murder devastated her family and shattered Daniel Horowitz’s life. The couple had been building their dream home when tragedy struck, forcing Horowitz to sell the property and move on without the woman he loved. Meanwhile, Dyleski has maintained good behavior in prison, pursued higher education, and awaits his parole hearing. His case remains one of the most chilling home invasion murders in California history, drawing comparisons to high-profile criminal cases. True crime enthusiasts continue to debate the evidence, but for Pamela’s loved ones, justice will never undo the pain of losing her to such a horrific crime.

As always, thank you for hanging out and remembering Justin Reid and his son with me today.

On February  9, 2024, 17‑year‑old Mashenka Ann Marie Reid allegedly shot and killed her father, 39‑year‑old Justin Reid, and her autistic 4‑ or 5‑year‑old brother in their Reno, Nevada apartment. After the shootings, she locked her younger sister in a bedroom and called 911, reportedly telling dispatchers, “I just couldn’t resist the urge to kill somebody”.

Court documents reveal Mashenka set a disturbing scene: she sent her father out to pick up pizza-making supplies to stall for time, then retrieved his Walther PPS handgun—researching how to use it beforehand. During interviews, she reportedly described having “sexual fantasies about torturing people,” including her own family, after her mother left home in December 2023.

A judge has since ordered a competency evaluation, delaying further court proceedings. Mashenka faces charges of two counts of open murder and one count of attempted murder for her younger sister.

As always, thank you for hanging out and remembering Robert and Tayten Baker with me today. The tragic murders of 14-year-old Tayten Baker and 12-year-old Robert Baker shocked the community of Melrose, Florida in August 2020. The two young brothers were found brutally murdered in their home, having been beaten with a hammer and stabbed with a knife. The prime suspect, Mark Wilson Jr., the boyfriend of their aunt, had been staying in a shed on the Baker property. Investigations revealed that Wilson had been on a methamphetamine binge leading up to the killings.As the investigation unfolded, it was discovered that Wilson had plotted to kill the entire Baker family. Despite his plan, he went on to murder the two brothers in a horrific act of violence. In January 2023, Wilson was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. His death sentence was later upheld by the Florida Supreme Court in May 2025.The shocking murders of Tayten and Robert Baker remain a powerful reminder of the impact of drug addiction, violence, and family betrayal.