Episode 314: The Mysterious Case of Judy Smith

On August 20, 1989, José and Kitty Menendez were shot to death in their upscale Beverly Hills home. For several months following the shocking event, their murders remained unsolved, with their sons, Lyle and Erik, initially claiming they discovered their parents' lifeless bodies. However, after exhibiting some unusual behaviors that raised suspicions, the brothers eventually confessed to the murders. They claimed they acted out of fear, citing years of alleged psychological and physical abuse inflicted by their father. Click here to join our Patreon.  Connect with us on Instagram and join our Facebook group.  To submit listener stories or case suggestions, and to see all sources for this episode: https://www.inhumanpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In November 2015, Amy Vilardi went to her mother’s home to check on her when she found a gruesome scene: her mother, Cathy Scott, her husband, Mike Scott, and their parents, Barbara Scott and Violet Taylor had been murdered. The case went cold for nearly 8 years until 2 persons of interest were named. Amy and her husband Ross Vilardi were arrested and charged with four counts of murder each, and they remain in jail today. Click here to join our Patreon.  Connect with us on Instagram and join our Facebook group.  To submit listener stories or case suggestions, and to see all sources for this episode: https://www.inhumanpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laureen Rahn disappeared on April 26, 1980, from her home in Manchester, New Hampshire. At the time of her disappearance, she was only 14 years old, a young girl with her whole life ahead of her. Over the years, there have been multiple tips, numerous sightings, and various leads concerning Laureen’s case, yet she has never been located. Tragically, to this day, her case remains unresolved and continues to perplex investigators and haunt those who loved her. If you have any information about Laureen’s disappearance, please contact the Manchester Police Department 603-668-8711. Click here to join our Patreon.  Connect with us on Instagram and join our Facebook group.  To submit listener stories or case suggestions, and to see all sources for this episode: https://www.inhumanpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Teri Jendusa Nicolai escaped her abusive relationship, but 3 years after her ex-husband threatened that he would “make her pay” for divorcing him, he abducted her and subjected her to 26 hours of torture that she believed was going to end her life. Today, Teri is a victims advocate as she helps so many others by sharing her story and getting laws passed to help protect them. If you or someone you know is in an emotionally, verbally, mentally, or physically abusive relationship, you can get support by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. You can also text START to 88788 or chat online at https://www.thehotline.org/. If you are outside of the United States, find resources here. Learn how to recognize the signs of abuse here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Click here to join our Patreon.  Connect with us on Instagram and join our Facebook group.  To submit listener stories or case suggestions, and to see all sources for this episode: https://www.inhumanpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In March 2020, 33-year-old Holly Boisvert was arrested in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin. Holly had lived in Fond Du Lac since 2011, but 18 years earlier, she was 16 years old and living in Fort Wayne, Indiana when she was involved in a fight that resulted in the death of her so-called friend Stacy DeGrandchamp. 17 year old Stacy had big aspirations when her life was so senselessly ripped from her, and it took almost 2 decades for her to see justice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On November 8, 1954, 14-year-old Carolyn Wasilewski was brutally murdered just eight miles away from her family home in Baltimore, Maryland. Little evidence was left at the crime scene, but one peculiar and mysterious detail that was discovered was the name "Paul" written in bold pink lipstick on Carolyn’s thigh. Was this an intentional red herring or perhaps a vital piece of evidence that could lead to a breakthrough? Regardless of its significance, Carolyn's case remains unsolved, and it is now recognized as one of the oldest and most haunting unsolved murder cases in the history of Maryland. Click here to join our Patreon.  Connect with us on Instagram and join our Facebook group.  To submit listener stories or case suggestions, and to see all sources for this episode: https://www.inhumanpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In early 2012, 16 year old Skylar Neese started feeling like her two best friends, Shelia Eddy and Rachel Shoaf, were becoming more distant from her. But she never could have expected what they were planning. Two teenagers committed a horrific act and now 12 years later, they are becoming eligible for parole - meaning they would have the ability to live a life that was ripped away from Skylar. Click here to join our Patreon.  Connect with us on Instagram and join our Facebook group.  To submit listener stories or case suggestions, and to see all sources for this episode: https://www.inhumanpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Jeff Davis 8, which is also referred to as the Jennings 8, is a series of unsolved murders that occurred in Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana, from 2005 to 2009. During this period, the grim discovery of the bodies of eight women were made in swamps, canals and wooded areas that are located around the town of Jennings. The victims of these crimes were Loretta Chassion Lewis, Ernestine Daniels Patterson, Kristen Lopez, Whitnei Dubois, Laconia Brown, Crystal Zeno, Brittney Gary, and Necole Guillory. These women shared several common traits, including poverty, struggles with drug use, and involvement in sex work. Despite ongoing efforts, the case remains unsolved, and it continues to frustrate their families, the local community as well as investigators. Sources for this episode: The docuseries: https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/murder-in-the-bayou/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Academy at Ivy Ridge was a “behavior correction institution for troubled teens” that operated from 2001-2009 in Ogdensburg, New York. Started by Robert Lichfield, Ivy Ridge claimed to be a school that taught kids honor, respect, and loyalty. But in reality, it was essentially a prison where children were abused and forced to comply with strict rules and procedures. Recently, survivors returned to the abandoned school and found troves of files and footage of what happened there; they are now speaking out in the hopes of holding those responsible accountable and bringing awareness to these types of institutions that still exist today.  If you or someone you know is struggling, you can contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or going to 988lifeline.org. If you are in crisis and are in the United States, you can text CONVO to 741741 for free, confidential, 24/7 support. Click here to join our Patreon.  Connect with us on Instagram and join our Facebook group.  To submit listener stories or case suggestions, and to see all sources for this episode: https://www.inhumanpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices