Donnah and Mark Winger - Part 1

On November 6, 2000, when 26-year-old Greg de Villers failed to show up for work in San Diego, California, his coworkers grew more concerned with each passing hour. Greg was dependable, hardworking, and had a promising future ahead of him. It was unlike him to miss work without letting anyone know. In recent weeks, his marriage to Kristin Rossum, a toxicologist at the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office, seemed to be crumbling. When Greg died unexpectedly later that evening, his family struggled to understand what had happened. As troubling details about his marriage emerged, they began to question the circumstances surrounding his death.Support us on PatreonToday's snack: Pan-fried onion dip

On November 6, 2000, when 26-year-old Greg de Villers failed to show up for work in San Diego, California, his coworkers grew more concerned with each passing hour. Greg was dependable, hardworking, and had a promising future ahead of him. It was unlike him to miss work without letting anyone know. In recent weeks, his marriage to Kristin Rossum, a toxicologist at the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office, seemed to be crumbling. When Greg died unexpectedly later that evening, his family struggled to understand what had happened. As troubling details about his marriage emerged, they began to question the circumstances surrounding his death.Listen to Part 2 on PatreonToday's snack: Cookies and Cream popcornSources:Rother, Caitlin. Poisoned Love. Pinnacle Books. 2005. Glatt, John. Deadly American Beauty: Beautiful Bride, Dark Secrets, Deadly Love. St. Martin’s Press, 2004. https://www.newspapers.com/image/188346654/?match=1&terms=Greg%20de%20Villers&search-id=8caa596f-8a3f-4ab6-a32f-83a14c995c8a&search-rank=6https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-2695348/Infamous-American-Beauty-murder-link-toxicologist-defence-witness-wife-killer-Gerard-Baden-Clay.htmlhttps://www.newspapers.com/image/986446735/?match=1&terms=constance%20rossum&search-id=23fad128-cfd7-45d3-9d0a-8bc262b0089f&search-rank=2https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2013/sep/18/feature-arrest-warrant-issued/https://murderpedia.org/female.R/r/rossum-kristin.htmhttps://ccwfpapertrail.org/author/kristin-rossumhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFRwU47pKic Michael on 60 Minute Australia commenting on the Erin Patterson mushroom case https://www.kpbs.org/news/2006/03/19/jury-awards-6-million-in-rossum-civil-casehttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/american-beauty-10-04-2002/

On paper, they looked like the perfect couple — a Harvard-educated law professor and a passionate immigration attorney, both brilliant, driven, and devoted to their two little boys. But behind closed doors, their differences were driving them apart. Throw in a mother-in-law who needed to control everything, and a protective older brother with a tough-guy image, and it was a recipe for things to get very ugly. Eventually, it would end with murder. But would there ever be justice?Today’s snack: Snack Factory Sea Salt Pop’umsSupport us on Patreon

In January 1897, a young bride, Zona Shue, was found dead on the floor of her home in the mountains of West Virginia. The doctor called it an everlasting faint — an old fashioned term for a sudden, unexplained death from natural causes. Days later, Zona’s mother woke in the cold, dark night to find an apparition standing at the foot of the bed. It was Zona, back to tell the story of how she really died. But would a jury buy it?Today’s snack: Candy corn popcorn ballsSupport us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/lovemarrykill Sources:Anderson, Belinda. "Greenbrier Ghost, Zona Heaster Shue." Experience Greenbrier Valley, Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau, https://greenbrierwv.com/editorials/the-greenbrier-ghost Calvert, Kris. "Zona Heaster Shue and the Greenbrier Ghost: The 1897 West Virginia Murder That Became Legend." Hitched 2 Homicide, 30 Sept. 2025, https://www.hitched2homicide.com/ Deitz, Dennis J. "Greenbrier Ghost." e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, West Virginia Humanities Council, 18 Sept. 2026, https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/entries/2104 Demitry, Nicky. "The Greenbrier Ghost." Virginia Law Weekly, University of Virginia School of Law, 29 Oct. 2025, https://www.lawweekly.org/front-page/2025/10/29/b4nz0yz4betrskt1myor79tdf9jhdv"Greenbrier Ghost." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 16 July 2026, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenbrier_GhostMcCrumb, Sharyn. Discussion Questions for The Unquiet Grave. 2017Rodgers, Garry. "How a Ghost's Evidence Convicted a Murderer – True Crime Story!" The Kill Zone, 16 Dec. 2021, https://killzoneblog.com/2021/12/how-a-ghosts-evidence-convicted-a-murderer-true-crime-story.htmlSibray, David. "The Full Tale of West Virginia's Remarkable Greenbrier Ghost." West Virginia Explorer, 20 Jan. 2024, https://wvexplorer.com/greenbrier-ghost-zona-heaster-shue-west-virginia-wv/ Tabler, Dave. "The Greenbrier Ghost." Appalachian History, 23 Jan. 2018, https://www.appalachianhistory.net/2018/01/greenbrier-ghost.html Weekley, Dave. "The Greenbrier Ghost is an Odd West Virginia Tale." WV MetroNews, West Virginia MetroNews Network, 21 July 2026, https://wvmetronews.com/2026/07/21/the-greenbrier-ghost-is-an-odd-west-virginia-tale/

On paper, they looked like the perfect couple — a Harvard-educated law professor and a passionate immigration attorney, both brilliant, driven, and devoted to their two little boys. But behind closed doors, their differences were driving them apart. Throw in a mother-in-law who needed to control everything, and a protective older brother with a tough-guy image, and it was a recipe for things to get very ugly. Eventually, it would end with murder. But would there ever be justice?Today’s snack: Snoop Dogg Rolls Royce PB Chocolate Chip CookiesJoin our Patreon to listen to part 3 today: https://patreon.com/lovemarrykill

On paper, they looked like the perfect couple — a Harvard-educated law professor and a passionate immigration attorney, both brilliant, driven, and devoted to their two little boys. But behind closed doors, their differences were driving them apart. Throw in a mother-in-law who needed to control everything, and a protective older brother with a tough-guy image, and it was a recipe for things to get very ugly. Eventually, it would end with murder. But would there ever be justice?Today’s snack: Assorted Taiwanese snacks (thanks Grace!)Join us on Patreon to hear parts 2 and 3 today!Sources:Alas, J. "Donna Adelson Convicted of Murder: What Did She Do and What Was the Sentence?" International Business Times UK, 5 Sept. 2025, https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/donna-addelson-convicted-murder-what-did-she-do-what-was-sentence-1743191."Can Wendi Adelson's Limited Immunity In The Dan Markel Case Be Broken?" Audioboom, True Crime Today, 6 June 2026, https://audioboom.com/posts/8912858-can-wendi-adelson-s-limited-immunity-in-the-dan-markel-case-be-broken.CBS News / AP. "Donna Adelson Sentenced to Life in Prison for Orchestrating 2014 Murder of Ex-Son-In-Law, FSU Professor Daniel Markel." CBS News, 14 Oct. 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/donna-adelson-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-in-2014-murder-for-hire-of-ex-son-in-law-fsu-professor-daniel-markel/."Charlie Adelson Prosecutor Delivers Intense Closing Argument in Hitman Conspiracy Murder Trial." YouTube, uploaded by Law&Crime Trials, Nov. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wQeZF4lnpA."Charlie Adelson Tells His Story of Dan Markel's Murder." YouTube, uploaded by Court TV, Nov. 2023.Dan Markel Case Archive — Trial Transcripts. Leon County Circuit Court, Court Daemon, https://markel.courtdaemon.com/."Dan Markel's Divorce Attorney, Stephen Webster, Reveals Motive for Why Adelsons Planned Dan's Murder." YouTube, uploaded by Surviving The Survivor, 2023."Dolce Vita Recording Exposed: Charlie Adelson's Panic After FBI Contact." YouTube, uploaded by Justice Is A Process!!!!, 2024."Donna Adelson Sentencing Dramatic, Defiant, Remorseless: Body Language Analysis." YouTube, uploaded by Dr. G Explains, Oct. 2025.Epstein, Steven. Extreme Punishment: The Chilling True Story of Acclaimed Law Professor Dan Markel's Murder. Rowman & Littlefield, 2021."FL v. Donna Adelson | Trial Day 2 - Wendi and Rob Adelson Testify." YouTube, uploaded by Emily D. Baker, Aug. 2025.Laidlaw, Katherine. "Murder-in-Law: The Twisted Story of a Domestic Contract Killing." Toronto Life, 14 Sept. 2026.Lat, David. "The Dan Markel Case: Charlie Adelson, Convicted." Original Jurisdiction, Substack, 7 Nov. 2023, https://davidlat.substack.com/p/the-dan-markel-case-charlie-adelson-95d.Lat, David. "The Dan Markel Case: Wendi Adelson Finds A New Job." Above the Law, 21 July 2017, https://abovethelaw.com/2017/07/the-dan-markel-case-wendi-adelson-finds-a-new-job/.Lat, David. "The Murder Of Dan Markel: Wendi Adelson Speaks (Part 3)." Above the Law, 9 June 2016, https://abovethelaw.com/2016/06/the-murder-of-dan-markel-wendi-adelson-speaks-part-3/.Schorsch, Peter. "Charlie Adelson Trial Day 3 Part 1: Accomplices Tell the Truth." Florida Politics, 30 Oct. 2023, https://floridapolitics.com/archives/641942-charlie-adelson-trial-day-3-part-1-accomplices-tell-the-truth/.Schorsch, Peter. "Dan Markel Trial: Katherine Magbanua Gets Life + 60 Years; Charlie Adelson Trial Early 2023; Tara Kawass Opens Up." Florida Politics, 29 July 2022, https://floridapolitics.com/archives/542700-dan-markel-trial-katherine-magbanua-gets-life-60-years-charlie-adelson-trial-early-2023-tara-kawass-opens-up/.State of Florida. Summary of Offense and Probable Cause Affidavit: Donna Sue Adelson (Case No. 2023CF3226A). Leon County Circuit Court, 13 Nov. 2023.The ABA Journal. "'Bump' Operation Led to Phone Calls, Restaurant Meeting, Jurors Told in Trial for Murder of Law Prof Markel." ABA Journal, American Bar Association, 1 Nov. 2023.The ABA Journal. "Prosecutors' Pursuit: A Timeline of the Dan Markel Murder Trials and Convictions." ABA Journal, American Bar Association, Aug. 2025."The 8-Minute Call That Proves Donna Adelson's Guilt | Wire Evidence." YouTube, uploaded by Justice Is A Process!!!!, 2024."The 'UNREDACTED' Interview of Jeffrey Lacasse." YouTube, uploaded by True Crime Metrix, 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab_9BORwlJc."Top Five Reasons Wendi Adelson Could Be Charged Next." Apple Podcasts, Hidden Killers / True Crime Today, 8 Oct. 2025, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/top-five-reasons-wendi-adelson-could-be-charged-next/id1724041714."Undercover Agent Reveals THE BUMP That Ended Donna Adelson." YouTube, uploaded by Justice Is A Process!!!!, 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io1AvDVXwjE. "UNEDITED & UNINTERRUPTED: Wendi Adelson's Full Police Interview Hours After Dan Markel's Murder." YouTube, uploaded by Surviving The Survivor, 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7n8CkJfUMA.Wikipedia Contributors. "Dan Markel." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Markel.

In August 1995, Mark Winger called 911 from his Springfield, Illinois home. His wife, Donnah, had been brutally attacked by an intruder brandishing a hammer. Mark intervened, shooting the man dead. Police ruled the shooting a justifiable homicide. The case was closed, and Mark was labeled a hero. There was little reason to question what had happened inside that house. But years later, the thoroughness and credibility of that investigation would be called into question.Support us on PatreonToday's snack: Oreo brownies

In August 1995, Mark Winger called 911 from his Springfield, Illinois home. His wife, Donnah, had been brutally attacked by an intruder brandishing a hammer. Mark intervened, shooting the man dead. Police ruled the shooting a justifiable homicide. The case was closed, and Mark was labeled a hero. There was little reason to question what had happened inside that house. But years later, the thoroughness and credibility of that investigation would be called into question.Listen to Part 2 today on PatreonToday's snack: Horseshoe sandwichSources:https://widbroward.org/donate/donnahs-fund/ Donate to Donnah’s FundZimmerman, Gail Abbott. (2008). Invitation to a Murder: A 48 Hours Mystery. Pocket Books. https://www.disneyplus.com/play/6e97ad69-2376-4080-b67d-d3a5f4b62bc8 20/20https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v36N6KzSTlQ 48 Hourshttps://www.newspapers.com/image/1320398215/?match=5&terms=Mark%20Winger%20Donnah&search-id=64058766-15f5-4a37-a8cc-f9ee0b8bdcbe&search-rank=1https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/realestate/article/FDRs-grandparents-home-for-sale-in-Newburgh-16792142.php Sara Jane’s old homehttps://patents.justia.com/inventor/robert-saul-brownhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/167032390/donnah_ellen-winger/photo#view-photo=143000701https://medium.com/@grantbjork92/mark-winger-imitation-hero-a2cd12c079a2https://abc7.com/post/mark-winger-case-abc-2020-the-perfect-lie-rebecca-simic/10522876/https://www.newspapers.com/image/1321518778/?match=14&terms=Mark%20Winger&search-id=c605f23f-5100-45d4-9e65-35edcc85afca&search-rank=1https://www.alexander-levittfunerals.com/obituaries/ira-drescher/obituaryhttps://www.illinoiscourts.gov/Resources/e703b7f7-994b-456b-96f2-6c90d09bd3ca/4131113_R23.pdf

In February 2007, NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak made headlines around the world after driving nearly 900 miles from Houston, Texas, to Orlando, Florida, to confront another woman, allegedly wearing a diaper so she wouldn’t have to stop along the way. Until that pivotal point, Lisa had been known for her remarkable accomplishments. She was a Naval Academy graduate, a decorated naval officer, test pilot, mother of three, and an astronaut who had traveled more than five million miles aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. But just months after returning from space, Lisa was arrested at Orlando International Airport for stalking and attempted kidnapping.How did one of NASA’s most accomplished astronauts end up there?Today's snack: Tang and astronaut ice creamSupport us on PatreonSources:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA2Ha7xuJSE Colleen Shipman’s victim impact statementFanning, Diane. (2007). Out There: The In-Depth Story of the Astronaut Love Triangle Case. St. Martin’s Press. Moore, Kimberly. (2020). Star Crossed: The Story of Astronaut Lisa Nowak. University Press of Florida. https://adventurewrite.com/blog1/about/?v=7af787d2dafc Colleen and Bill’s website. https://people.com/crime/astronaut-love-triangle-lisa-nowak-15-years-attempted-murder-ex-boyfriend-girlfriend/ https://www.science.org/content/article/nasa-tackles-drunk-astronauts

In December 2025, police were called to do a welfare check at the home of Charity Powell Beallis when she didn’t show up to sign her divorce decree. The responding officers found her dead along with her six-year-old twins. Charity’s death was soon ruled a suicide and the children’s deaths homicides. Charity’s estranged husband, Randall, a local physician, had been arrested earlier that year for assaulting her and was under investigation for allegations that he had abused their children. Police did not publicly name Randall as a suspect, but Charity’s loved ones came to a very different conclusion.Today's snack: Oreos - Deep Fried, Chicken & Waffles, and Banana Pudding flavorsSupport us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/lovemarrykillSources:https://www.sebastiancountyar.gov/Sheriff  https://www.sebastiancountyar.gov/Courts/Prosecuting-Attorneyhttps://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-hell-and-gone-29974699/episode/hell-and-gone-murder-line-charity-beallis-pt-1-313464284?viewTranscription=true Hell and Gone Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tsp-141-charity-beallis-best-friend-speaks-out-weldon/id1573560247?i=1000756123360 True Sunlight Podcasthttps://www.nwahomepage.com/knwa/family-speaks-out-after-death-of-charity-powell-children/https://www.newspapers.com/image/1235577975/?match=1&terms=charity%20powell&search-id=96cb7a93-cc9a-4eb2-aafe-991b778a9887&search-rank=1https://www.nwahomepage.com/news/sebastian-county-sheriffs-office-provides-update-on-bonanza-death-investigation/https://www.nwahomepage.com/river-valley-news/new-questions-raised-in-powell-beallis-case/https://www.nwahomepage.com/river-valley-news/court-rules-on-release-of-charity-beallis-twins-remains/https://people.com/arkansas-mom-final-divorce-hearing-husband-next-day-dead-11864062https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/sheriffs-office-update-deaths-charity-beallis-twins/527-fa325c8c-bfde-49a9-a265-064d5fc9ffd2https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/dr-randall-beallis-medical-board-records/527-7caff2e1-1303-439d-b084-17487c7ec42ehttps://www.rivervalleydemocratgazette.com/news/2026/jan/31/fort-smith-physician-randy-beallis-appeals/https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad/case/66GDR-25-40?utm_source=chatgpt.com court records https://www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/print?o_id=8274581https://www.rivervalleydemocratgazette.com/news/2025/dec/17/father-of-randall-beallis-third-wife-said-she/https://www.facebook.com/DougWarner.Journalist/videos/beallis-case-on-banfield/2877590629299261/https://www.rivervalleydemocratgazette.com/news/2026/mar/04/charity-beallis-died-of-suicide-sebastian-county/https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15414455/arkansas-doctor-wife-children-killed-mansion.htmlhttps://armedicalboard.adh.arkansas.gov/Public/verify/results.aspx?strPHIDNO=ASMB203309https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/crime/court-custody-bodies-charity-powell-beallis-twin-children/527-6f90f830-11da-4c15-9cde-6885fabc78f7https://www.dailypress.net/life/features/2023/03/if-a-partner-has-ever-strangled-you-they-will-likely-kill-you/