In this episode of Current Affairs, we delve into the heartbreaking case of Marissa DiNapoli, an 18-year-old whose life was cut short in Morgan Hill, California. Her ex-boyfriend, Martin Mendoza, is now the prime suspect in what police are calling a "heinous crime." We also provide an update on the "Beef Wellington murders" in Australia, where Erin Patterson has been found guilty of poisoning three relatives with death cap mushrooms.

Sources:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/crime/2025/07/09/missing-teen-marissa-dinapoli-found-boyfriend-murder/84517689007/

https://www.ksbw.com/article/timeline-marissa-dinapolis-murder-boyfriend-arrest/65338970

https://nypost.com/2025/07/08/us-news/marissa-dinapolis-ex-arrested-as-last-video-shows-her-at-his-house/

https://abc7news.com/post/marissa-dinapoli-arraignment-martin-mendoza-boyfriend-arrested-murder-morgan-hill-teenager/17020528/

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/australian-erin-patterson-found-guilty-all-counts-mushroom-murders-case-2025-07-07/

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Credits: Love Murder is hosted by Jessie Pray and Andie Cassette, researched by Sarah Lynn Robinson and researched and written by Jessie Pray, produced by Nathaniel Whittemore and edited by Kyle Barbour-Hoffman

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A marriage between FBI agents results in fraud and affairs. But when they try to get divorced, the problems escalate to perjury, kidnapping, rape, attempted murder, and a violent shootout in a church.

Sources:

1. Rother, Caitlin, and John Hess. Twisted Triangle. 2008.

2. “Twisted Triangle | Caitlin Rother.” Caitlin Rother, https://www.caitlinrother.com/twisted-triangle. Accessed 16 June 2025.

3. Who the (Bleep) Did I Marry. 2010.

4. Richmond Times Dispatch, 5 Feb. 1997.

5. The Daily Progress, 16 May 1997.

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Credits: Love Murder is hosted by Jessie Pray and Andie Cassette, researched by Sarah Lynn Robinson and researched and written by Jessie Pray, produced by Nathaniel Whittemore and edited by Kyle Barbour-Hoffman

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On this episode, Jessie brings the story of the extraordinary life and tragic death of musical genius, activist and visionary Sam Cooke.

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Sources:

1. Guralnick, Peter. Dream Boogie. Little, Brown, 2014 https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Boogie-Triumph-Sam-Cooke/dp/0316013293

2. “Dorothy Miller Obituary - Midlothian, VA.” Dignity Memorial, https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/midlothian-va/dorothy-miller-10946050. Accessed 14 June 2025.3. ReMastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke. Netflix, 2019.

Rhule, BG. Sam Cooke: The Truth. 2021.

“Sam Cooke (1931-1964) - Find a Grave Memorial.” Find a Grave - Millions of Cemetery Records, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1900/sam-cooke. Accessed 8 June 2025.

Wolff, Daniel, et al. You Send Me. Random House, 2011.

7. South Bend Tribune, 28 Apr. 2019, https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/08/28/sam-cookes-daughter-carla-pays-tribute-at-the-acorn-in-three-oaks/46361367/.

8. Desert Dispatch, 18 June 1963.

9. New York Amsterdam News, 26 Dec. 1964.

10. Lady, You Shot Me: The Life and Death of Sam Cooke, 2017.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On October 2nd, 2020, Gregory Rice vanished. Over a month later, his tarp-wrapped body was discovered, revealing a sensational murder case. At its heart was Meagan Jackson, Rice's ex and a body transporter, accused of orchestrating his murder with her lover, deputy coroner Christopher Dontell. This episode unravels the deadly mix of infidelity, betrayal, and conspiracy that became known as the "Coroner Affair Murder.”

Sources:

https://www.courttv.com/news/sc-v-meagan-jackson-coroner-affair-murder-trial/

https://wpde.com/news/local/defendant-chooses-not-to-testify-as-2020-murder-trial-continues-meagan-jackson-chris-dontell-gregory-rice-accessory-hand-of-all-south-carolina-judge

https://www.wbtw.com/news/grand-strand/horry-county/meagan-jackson-verdict-caps-five-year-saga-of-betrayal-conspiracy-and-murder/

Find LOVE MURDER online:

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Credits: Love Murder is hosted by Jessie Pray and Andie Cassette, researched by Sarah Lynn Robinson and researched and written by Jessie Pray, produced by Nathaniel Whittemore and edited by Kyle Barbour-Hoffman

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jessie and Andie recap Karen Read’s 2025 retrial, tracing the case from Officer John O’Keefe’s death to Read’s acquittal on homicide charges and lone conviction for OUI. The episode details key differences from the 2024 mistrial, the effect of intense media coverage, turning-point testimony, the jury’s decision, reactions from both families, and what civil and administrative battles still lie ahead.

Sources:

https://www.npr.org/2025/06/18/nx-s1-5435406/karen-read-acquitted-trial-verdict-not-guilty

https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/karen-read-trial-verdict-jury-06-18-25

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/us/karen-read-trial-verdict.html

https://www.vox.com/true-crime/411568/karen-read-retrial-updates-new-evidence

https://people.com/karen-read-verdict-murder-trial-reaction-11757625

Find LOVE MURDER online:

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Credits: Love Murder is hosted by Jessie Pray and Andie Cassette, researched by Sarah Lynn Robinson and researched and written by Jessie Pray, produced by Nathaniel Whittemore and edited by Kyle Barbour-Hoffman

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What first appeared to be a simple knock-knock burglary-gone-wrong quickly unraveled into a cold-blooded murder that shocked everyone. As an affair came to light and layers of deception were peeled away, however, suspicion began to settle on the victim's seemingly perfect partner.

Sources:

48 Hours on ID S9E13 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8783606/

Dateline Friday: The Widow of Woodland Hills https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/video/sneak-peek-josh-mankiewicz-reports-on-the-murder-of-fabio-sementilli-the-widow-woodland-hills-dateline-237147717732

The Monica Sementilli Affair - 48 Hours S37E22

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Credits: Love Murder is hosted by Jessie Pray and Andie Cassette, researched by Sarah Lynn Robinson and researched and written by Jessie Pray, produced by Nathaniel Whittemore and edited by Kyle Barbour-Hoffman

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In September, we're going on our first-ever tour! Find us in Denver, Dallas, Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago alongside headliners Going West for five mysteriously fun evenings! We really hope to expand this tour, so get your tickets THIS WEEK! Pre-sale begins Wed June 18, using code LOVEWEST. And public on-sale begins Friday June 20! Get your tickets at http://www.goingwestpod.com/tour.html

Thursday, September 11, 2025 The Oriental Theater Denver, CO

Saturday, September 13, 2025 Texas Theatre Dallas, TX

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 Arts at the Armory Somerville Boston, MA

Thursday, September 18, 2025 Center Stage Atlanta, GA

Sunday, September 21, 2025 Park West Chicago, IL

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