Domino Effect of Murder

While the term "homicide survivor" is commonly used with the family of the deceased, it's equally appropriate to use with colleagues in civilian or military jobs. This interview spotlights U.S. Navy Commander Tina Erwin (Ret.) and her determination to understand the suspicious death of a young man under her command. Commander Erwin noticed that the submariners used their "gut feelings" to know whe...

Most homicide survivors vividly recall groping in the dark in the aftermath of murder. Who should they call? What is to be done with reporters? What about social media? What can be delegated to friends? As time passes survivors collide with additional urgent questions. Is financial help available? What should be expected from the criminal justice and parole systems? When is an attorney needed? Res...

Temujn Kensu (aka Fred Freeman) was wrongfully convicted of a 1987 murder he didn't do and is serving a sentence of life without parole. It's an open secret he's innocent. Even a former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice, FBI investigator and detective with the Michigan State Police agree. He was railroaded. Two questions immediately come to mind. How did this travesty of justice even happen? Wh...

Murder is complex and inherently infused with strong emotions. This episode reviews the five common motives for murder, the profile of the person who most frequently kills and who is most likely to become a victim. Following that we will hear from recently released Marcel McDaniel who served 17 years for homicide and what he is doing to make a difference with other inmates now that he has regained...

Forensic psychology is a specialty where psychology meets law. Our guest, Dr. Johnston, has an extensive resume in this field and will shed light on what her job entails. In addition, we discuss relevant current events such as prison reform, the ethics of true crime shows and much, much more. Feel free to tour my website: https://www.jancantyphd.com/

As a preschooler Ryan Kopyar's mom left for work before Christmas and never returned. Even worse, she was eight months pregnant with his little sister. It was a watershed moment in Ryan's young life and that of his father. The immediate aftermath of her murder transformed Ryan's once-happy home into a quiet, dark place as he and his father awkwardly struggled to adjust to her absence while in the...

Jessica Norman has the unwanted distinction of knowing incarceration for murder from two vantage points. She is a corrections officer in an institution where her job brings her in regular contact with murderers. And, a few years into her job, she learned her sister had been murdered. It changed the trajectory of her life in multiple ways - as is so often the case. Listen as she recounts her loss,...

At the tender age of six Charles Smith experienced his first loss. It was the death of his mother. In rapid succession, he lost his father, grandfather and uncle. More would follow. Listen to Charles describe being in freefall for the first half of his life but then rallying and defying the odds. Like the ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi, he explains the art of being broken. Charles believes we ca...

What are the parallels between violent death in the military and in civilian life? And, more importantly, what can we learn from this? Join me as I sit with Army Veteran and host of Drive On Podcast Scott DeLuzio to discuss intentional death on and off the battlefield. Feel free to tour my website: https://www.jancantyphd.com/

Adolescence is tough. Adolescence is even tougher as a biracial teen. And, if that isn't difficult enough i magine being told your mom has been murdered and that it was premeditated. How do you find your footing? Reestablish control? Interface with peers? Listen in as we hear Rebecca Benny describe these difficult hurdles and how she negotiated them.` Feel free to tour my website: https://www.janc...

When Kalvon Hawkins was informed his daughter had been murdered at a birthday party he couldn't imagine life getting worse, but this was a prelude to more suffering. The police brushed him off. Witnesses wouldn't come forward. Rumors circulated. His business suffered. Over the years, he succumbed to depression and isolation. Then, one drizzly, cold day he took matters into his own hands and opened...

Crime victims, homicide survivors included, find the court process to be confusing, foreign, and occasionally hostile. Former Denver Prosecutor Rachel Robinson of Colorado has made it her mission to give a voice to those who don't have one. She has dedicated her private practice to ensuring that crime victims' rights are honored. She has tailored her services to fill the gaps in the criminal justi...

The attempted murder of herself and her young son was not enough to deter Patricia Wenskunas from her life mission. She has excelled in her tireless effort to advocate for crime victims in a number of ways - not the least of which is her foundation "Crime Survivors Resource Center" in Irvine, California. Please tune in and feel uplifted by her passion, clarity, and hope. Patricia is more than a su...

Shortly into a happy marriage, in the midst of a new job with a bright future, living on a peaceful, remote ranch, the unthinkable happened. Jessica Alise Lewis recounts the awful night she learned of the shooting death of her beloved Russell by a man on a crime spree aiming for someone else. Alone and terrified, surrounded by a mountainous, stormy landscape, she is summoned to the police station...

This episode gives the backstory of how this podcast came to be, as well as review top stories of the year - with some updates thrown in. A glimpse into Season 4 is offered, too. Feel free to tour my website: https://www.jancantyphd.com/

Ever wonder how - or if - psychic detectives really work with law enforcement on missing persons and unsolved homicide cases? If so, how effective are they? What is their method? Equally important - how do you spot a charlatan? Listen as Karen Romine explains the ways she helps law enforcement. Karen is a certified international psychic, medium and energy healer based in Iowa. She blends these ski...

Many homicide survivors have had exposure (and sometimes over-exposure) to print, broadcast and social media posts about the homicide in their families. But imagine the live streamed broadcast of your loved one's last moments on social media platforms... Not only was the crime shown, but it's also been shared and viewed millions of times. It's a special kind of eternal torment for loved ones and i...

Marcy Pusey was a newlywed sleeping under the same roof as her in-laws. Early one morning her father-in-law knocked on their door to tell them his wife (her mother-in-law) was "hurt" and needed help. In truth, he'd brutally murdered her. The reason will surprise you. For information about my books and other information please visit my website: https://jancantyphd.com/

The 100-year forced assimilation of indigenous children across the U.S. and Canada between 1865-1960 cost thousands of lives. Some say their tiny spirits call out from unmarked graves and repeatedly ask to be brought home and given back their name. Listen as we follow the story of Daughter of Red Cedar. For information about my books and other information please visit my website: https://www.janca...

Agape Garcia's life (and that of her 8-year-old and unborn baby) pivoted without warning. Hundreds of miles from home, they unpacked to start a new life chapter. Without warning the father of her yet-to-be-born son viciously tried to kill her. She had no resources, no support, yet reestablished herself, raised her children alone and now (years later) finally feels free enough to talk about her per...

Lisbeth McCarty, the aunt of murder victim Lauren Barnes, tells a cautionary tale. Youth, pregnancy, paternal rejection of pregnancy, and the realization of responsibilities that lie ahead can boil into a toxic mix. Baby Avery's father would rather have risked life in prison than life co-parenting her. He dug her grave along with the mother who carried her and carried through with his lethal trap....

Part two of school shootings narrows the lens of the causes of this tragedy to focus on family, child and biological roots of this mayhem. It also offers several ways each of us can intervene, especially in regards to early intervention. For more information see my website at: https://jancantyphd.com

Mass school shootings like the one in Uvalde, Texas on May 24, 2022 are as complex as they are appalling. This two-part series examines the cultural, familial, personal, and biological underpinnings of these tragic events in an attempt to better understand this rare and deadly phenomenon. For information about my books and other information please visit my website: https://jancantyphd.com/

Ashley Michelle was invited to her former boyfriend's apartment very late one night in 2016. Once inside, he locked the door behind her, assaulted her, forced her to look at their friend that he'd just murdered, and told her she was next. Her survival was dependent upon her intuition and split-second timing. For information about my books and other information please visit my website: https://janc...

Detective Moran is best known for his work on the John Wayne Gacy serial murders of Cook County, Illinois. In this episode, we discuss the toll these unsolved murders take, why law enforcement has such a difficult time identifying victims and what families can do to assist law enforcement. For information about my books and other information please visit my website: https://www.jancantyphd.com/