True Sunlight

By: Luna Shark
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  • Summary

  • Previously known as the Murdaugh Murders Podcast, True Sunlight is the intersection of True Crime, journalism and systematic corruption. Celebrated journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell are taking their style of reporting beyond Alex Murdaugh and his co-conspirators. We expose the truth wherever it leads giving voice to victims like Mica Francis, Sara Lynn Colucci, and Christa Gilley, while still pursuing justice for all the victims you've met so far like Stephen Smith, Dallas Stoller, and others. True Sunlight is the antithesis of True crime. True Sunlight values accuracy over "access journalism". True Sunlight is shed with empathy — not exploitation. True Sunlight was created as a matter of public service — not just entertainment. While the name of the podcast has changed, our mission, values and team have not. We are simply expanding our horizons while continuing to shine a much needed bright light on crime and corruption wherever it appears. Ranked #1 and #2 globally in 2021 and 2023 respectively as the Murdaugh Murders Podcast, True Sunlight provides unmatched insight into the crimes and criminals exposed on MMP and dives deep into new instances of where crime meets corruption across the US. We empower listeners to understand their legal and judicial systems through investigative journalism while providing tools to hold agencies and public figures accountable in order to change those systems for the better. Listen on any streaming service or visit TrueSunlight.com to learn more. Premium Members also get access to searchable case files, written articles with documents, case photos, episode videos and exclusive live experiences with our hosts on lunasharkmedia.com all in one place. CLICK HERE to learn more: https://bit.ly/3BdUtOE. And for those just wanting ad-free listening without all the other great content, we now offer ad-free listening on Apple Podcast through a subscription to Luna Shark Plus on the Apple Podcasts App. And we also offer access to exclusive video content through our new YouTube Premiere subscription. Check out our new Luna Shark Merch With a Mission shop at lunasharkmerch.com/ SUNscribe to our free email list to get alerts on bonus episodes, calls to action, new shows and updates. CLICK HERE to learn more: https://bit.ly/3KBM For current & accurate updates: TrueSunlight.com facebook.com/TrueSunlightPodcast/ instagram.com/truesunlightpod/ Twitter.com/mandymatney Twitter.com/elizfarrell youtube.com/@LunaSharkMedia tiktok.com/@lunasharkmedia
    © 2024 Luna Shark Productions, LLC
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Politics & Government True Crime
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Episodes
  • TSP #83 - JP Miller’s Cozy and Strange Emails to Police Part Two + Would Mica’s Law Have Actually Helped Mica Francis?

    TSP #83 - JP Miller’s Cozy and Strange Emails to Police Part Two + Would Mica’s Law Have Actually Helped Mica Francis?
    Jan 16 2025
    Investigative journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell continue their deep dive into the Mica Francis case in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Today’s episode begins with a clarification concerning Mica’s divorce attorney Regina Ward and the settlement terms reached between JP Miller and Mica’s family this past summer. Also on the show, in a press conference in June 2024, Regina Ward shared a list of abuses that Mica allegedly experienced at the hands of Pastor JP Miller … alleged abuses that mirror a proposed coercive control law that failed three times to make it out of state legislative committee. In that press briefing, Regina said that had this law been enacted before Mica’s death there was a possibility it could have saved her life. Mandy and Liz take another look at the proposed law and a provision that seems like it would have protected JP more than it would have protected Mica. Plus, JP is up to his old antics and has filed 10 new civil lawsuits against an assortment of protesters and content creators. And Part Two of the very cozy and strange emails JP Miller and his righthand woman Tricia Ross sent to police regarding Mica. Also, as we continue to cover the Christa Bauer murder in Houston, Texas, please consider donating to Christa’s family’s Go Fund Me as we have. Christa’s husband awaits trial in the murder of Christa and their unborn baby and her family has had to temporarily move to Texas to take care of Christa’s two young children, Maddie and Gannon because the court thinks the children belong there as opposed to South Carolina, where the hub of their support system is. The family has not yet reached their fundraising goal. Click here for details: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-christas-family-in-their-time-of-loss Stay Tuned, Stay Pesky and Stay in the Sunlight...☀️ Episode Resources APTA’s Christa Nicole Bauer Clinical Excellence Award Sweetwater One Two Three Cafe and Palmetto Flats Restaurant & Tavern Chloe Bess Motion Dismissed - Jan 15, 2025 SC Code of Laws: Title 15, Chapter 15, Article 1: Death by Wrongful Acts Mica’s List & Mica’s Law Regina Ward Press Conference at Horry County Court House - June 5, 2024 Robbie Harvey Interview with Regina Ward on X - Jan 9, 2025 Suicides from domestic abuse are not rare… just the tip of the iceberg If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. Premium Members also get access to ad-free listening, searchable case files, written articles with documents, case photos, episode videos and exclusive live experiences with our hosts on lunasharkmedia.com all in one place. CLICK HERE to learn more: https://bit.ly/3BdUtOE. What We're Buying... Eric Bland's New Book!!! - Mandy's Book in Paperback!! - Amanda Knox's New Book Peloton - onepeloton.com Find your push. Find your power with Peloton at onepeloton.com. Here's a link to some of our favorite things: https://amzn.to/4cJ0eVn And a special thank you to our other amazing sponsors: Microdose.com, PELOTON, and VUORI. Use promo code "MANDY" for a special offer! *** ALERT: If you ever notice audio errors in the pod, email info@lunasharkmedia.com and we'll send fun merch to the first listener that finds something that needs to be adjusted! *** For current & accurate updates: bsky.app/profile/mandy-matney.com | bsky.app/profile/elizfarrell.com TrueSunlight.com facebook.com/TrueSunlightPodcast/ Instagram.com/TrueSunlightPod Twitter.com/mandymatney Twitter.com/elizfarrell youtube.com/@LunaSharkMedia tiktok.com/@lunasharkmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • TSP #82 - JP Miller Tried To Blame Mica’s Death On A Cop, New Emails Show + Wayne Miller’s Previously Unknown Connection to Mica’s Divorce Lawyer

    TSP #82 - JP Miller Tried To Blame Mica’s Death On A Cop, New Emails Show + Wayne Miller’s Previously Unknown Connection to Mica’s Divorce Lawyer
    Jan 9 2025
    Investigative journalists — and proud “podcasters” — Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell reveal the latest in the Mica Francis story, starting with emails from JP Miller and his sidekick Tricia Ross that were sent to police days after Mica’s death, urging the police to investigate one of their own in connection to Mica’s death. Yes, seriously. Turns out May 2 was a very bad day for JP Miller. Not only did he have to explain himself to his partners at the Myrtle Beach bar he had a stake in, he seemed to be on a war path as he pointed his finger at Heather Wilson, his alleged former ally at Horry County Police Department. JP — demonstrating once again that he thinks the police work directly for him — wanted the department to investigate Heather for Mica’s death because she is the mother of the man Mica was hanging out with on March 11 and the man who JP later called and berated. Mandy and Liz share the first installment of the texts and emails that came back from reporter Beth Braden’s FOIA for communications between JP and the police. Also on the show, how did the waterfront home in Myrtle Beach that Wayne Miller tried to get the courts to force an octogenarian widow who was thought to have dementia to sell end up getting sold to attorney Regina Ward … the attorney who represented Mica in her pending divorce and later Mica’s family in their quest to hold JP and his church accountable? We have the scoop — including an interview between Beth and Regina. Plus, the latest in the Nautilus trial, which had Cory Fleming back up on the stand this week in federal court... and ultimately the jury came back with a verdict in Nautilus' favor, declaring that Cory Fleming owes them $1.25 Million in compensatory damages plus $50.00 in punitive damages. On Thursday, January 9th, (after publishing this episode) Judge Gergel found and ordered that Defendant Fleming committed a willful or knowing violation of SCUTPA and hereby trebles Plaintiff's damages, resulting in an award of $3,750,000.00 plus reasonable attorney’s fees. Stay Tuned, Stay Pesky and Stay in the Sunlight...☀️ Episode Resources Jury decides Cory Fleming is liable for role in Murdaugh insurance scheme, owes $1.25M “Trial begins for Fleming in insurance accusation civil case” - Live5, Jan 6, 2025 “‘In my mind, that was deception’: insurance expert testifies in Fleming case” - Live5, Jan 7, 2025 Alex Murdaugh’s $14.8 Million Nautilus Judgement - Jan 2, 2025 911 Calls after Mica Francis’ Death Timeline Exposing Dirty Southern Money Facebook Page If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. Premium Members also get access to ad-free listening, searchable case files, written articles with documents, case photos, episode videos and exclusive live experiences with our hosts on lunasharkmedia.com all in one place. CLICK HERE to learn more: https://bit.ly/3BdUtOE. What We're Buying... Eric Bland's New Book!!! - Mandy's Book in Paperback!! - Marcia Clark's New Book - Amanda Knox's New Book - Tamron Hall's New Book - Erin Lee Carr's Book Peloton - onepeloton.com Find your push. Find your power with Peloton at onepeloton.com. Here's a link to some of our favorite things: https://amzn.to/4cJ0eVn And a special thank you to our other amazing sponsors: Microdose.com, PELOTON, and VUORI. Use promo code "MANDY" for a special offer! *** ALERT: If you ever notice audio errors in the pod, email info@lunasharkmedia.com and we'll send fun merch to the first listener that finds something that needs to be adjusted! This episode was edited thanks to Ashlynn R. near 42:00 *** For current & accurate updates: bsky.app/profile/mandy-matney.com | bsky.app/profile/elizfarrell.com TrueSunlight.com facebook.com/TrueSunlightPodcast/ Instagram.com/TrueSunlightPod Twitter.com/mandymatney Twitter.com/elizfarrell youtube.com/@LunaSharkMedia tiktok.com/@lunasharkmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 36 mins
  • TSP #81 - From Alex Murdaugh to Lee Gilley: True Highlights From 2024 + More Churchy Businesses For JP Miller?

    TSP #81 - From Alex Murdaugh to Lee Gilley: True Highlights From 2024 + More Churchy Businesses For JP Miller?
    Jan 2 2025
    From the Alex Murdaugh trial’s alleged jury tampering and subsequent appeals; investigations into the deaths of Stephen Smith and Mica Francis (Miller), examining potential foul play; and the ongoing legal battles surrounding Bowen Turner and Michael Colucci, both facing multiple accusations of serious crimes — we covered a lot of cases and controversies in 2024. Also this year, we added tragic death of Christa Bauer Gilley to our focus, and continued to focus on advocacy for victims' rights reform, specifically concerning coercive control. On this special episode of True Sunlight, our team looks back on the madness in the Justice System, plus another shocking update in the Myrtle Beach church world related to JP Miller and Solid Rock. With our new billboards around the state and our coverage seeking answers, we hope to shake loose information in Stephen Smith’s case and Sandy hopes to hear back from SLED early in 2025. We are also actively seeking partners to create a new event in July that will celebrate Stephen Smith’s life and draw attention to the 10 years that have passed without justice since his death. If you'd like to help, email members@lunasharkmedia.com or click the social links below. To learn more about our Luna Shark Media Club tune into Cup of Justice or join LUNASHARK Premium. As always, your support is immensely appreciated and keeps us motivated to expose the truth wherever it leads, give voice to victims and get the story straight. 'Cups Up' To An AMAZING 2025 Ahead and thank you to each of our listeners for supporting our mission!!!! Happy New Year and Stay In The Sunlight! Stay Tuned, Stay Pesky and Stay in the Sunlight...☀️ Episode Resources January: TSP 36 & Justice Toal’s Order Denying Motion for New Trial February: TSP 40 & Stephen Smith Case Overview March: TSP 41 & Michael Colucci’s Indictment for Murder April: TSP 47 & Bowen Turner’s DUI Dash Cam Video May: TSP 50 & Sara Lynn Colucci Case Overview June: TSP 54 & Mica’s List + Mica’s Law July: TSP 58 & SCHP’s Case Files August: TSP 64 & Alex Murdaugh’s Inital Appeal Brief September: TSP 66 & Bowen Turner Victim Appeal Hearing October: TSP 69 & Liz’s Tweet about Alex Murdaugh’s Appeal Dismissal November: TSP 75 & Lee Gilley’s Murder Indictment & Christopher Bauer’s Affidavit December: TSP 78 & Mica Francis Case Overview If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. Premium Members also get access to ad-free listening, searchable case files, written articles with documents, case photos, episode videos and exclusive live experiences with our hosts on lunasharkmedia.com all in one place. CLICK HERE to learn more: https://bit.ly/3BdUtOE. If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. What We're Buying... Eric Bland's New Book!!! - Mandy's Book in Paperback!! - Marcia Clark's New Book - Amanda Knox's New Book - Tamron Hall's New Book - Erin Lee Carr's Book Peloton - onepeloton.com Find your push. Find your power with Peloton at onepeloton.com. Here's a link to some of our favorite things: https://amzn.to/4cJ0eVn And a special thank you to our other amazing sponsors: Microdose.com, PELOTON, and VUORI. Use promo code "MANDY" for a special offer! *** ALERT: If you ever notice audio errors in the pod, email info@lunasharkmedia.com and we'll send fun merch to the first listener that finds something that needs to be adjusted! *** For current & accurate updates: bsky.app/profile/mandy-matney.com | bsky.app/profile/elizfarrell.com TrueSunlight.com facebook.com/TrueSunlightPodcast/ Instagram.com/TrueSunlightPod Twitter.com/mandymatney Twitter.com/elizfarrell youtube.com/@LunaSharkMedia tiktok.com/@lunasharkmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    54 mins

Featured Article: The Best True Crime Podcasts of All Time


If you’re fascinated by true crime, you're not alone. The genre is among the most popular in audio today, with true crime podcasts climbing the charts, consistently drawing in new listeners and earning high ratings. When carefully crafted, true crime offers so much more than just a quick shock or thrill: these listens are created with a sense of empathy and interest that highlight the full spectrum of human nature. Find a new case to unravel.

Featured Article The Best True Crime Podcasts of All Time

What listeners say about True Sunlight

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Profile Image for KrsTea

Probably one of the most well researched podcasts

I am thoroughly enjoying this podcast. I can't believe that I was so right about the father. I knew nothing about any of this and said from the beginning that this mystery is a case of familial homicide. Mandy expertly picks apart the investigation at every stage and shows how the police and various agencies failed in each case. I love how she puts it in relative order and places details so we can tie them back mentally to previous clues without needing an intricate clue board to keep up with it.

Now, as for the voice complaints: Mandy is the one that brings my attention to her voice. I did not notice it until she had highlighted those critiques at the beginning of all the episodes thus far. I don't have a problem with her voice, but she does sound disinterested. She brought up the Kardashian reference and I can't "unhear" it. I feel if she would move beyond bringing it up, the critique won't stand out so much. I really enjoy this journalist and feel she will do amazingly large things and be a credit to justice everywhere. Now, POD ON!

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Profile Image for jessica wilhite

very interesting info

I'm sucked in now and can't wait for more episodes. this whole story/stories are so bizarre.

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Profile Image for H. Truehart

Mandy Matney does an amazing job!

This is THE BEST podcast about the Murdaugh family and the related murders. It's so well researched and detailed. I look forward to everyone episode.

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Profile Image for Alison Mahoney

Great coverage of the Murdaugh scandals

I live in Savannah and have been following this story since Mallory’s death. Mandy has done a fantastic job covering this case and is a stellar investigative reporter. She’s doing her best adjusting to a medium (podcasting) she probably never expected to be jumping into. She’s not a professional voice actress people. Bless your heart to all the folks giving her a tough time.

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Profile Image for CAROL A OLIVEIRA

Great listen

I am enjoying this podcast. Please don’t listen to what people say about your voice. I love that you say this is the facts we know. You never state your opinion but just the facts. Keep up the great work, I don’t think this story is over yet.

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Profile Image for Angela Baker

AMAZING PODCAST AND DELIVERY

What an amazing podcast. Everything from in depth investigation and ESPECIALLY the delivery. Matney's voice is perfect and for those rude people on here that have reviewed with nasty, hateful remarks about it are known as Karen's, negative nellies, and just plain hateful! Keep on Matney ~~ We love you and your voice

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Profile Image for Miss Heather

Exciting!

So hard to wait for news while working! Very exciting show, Ladies!!!! Keep up the great work!

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Profile Image for Christopher W Buckheister

Love you guy

I love the work you have done and continue to do. I have sent the podcast link to friends and family all over. Keep up your amazing work. Oh and I can't wait until Judge M. gets her behind handed to her.

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Profile Image for Jeffrey Ebert

Very Interesting

Excellent reporting and good delivery. She's not a voice actor or radio personality, but how many people are? I'm looking forward to more episodes.

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Profile Image for Kelly Clark

Excellent!!

Amazing story told in a professional manner. Outstanding!! Looking forward to more from Mandy and staff!!

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