Detective John Toppenberg worked major crimes for many years in Colorado. The last eleven focused on homicide. How has his work impacted him? What are his views of the relatives of homicide victims? What does he have to say about district attorneys, the disappointing statistics on resolving cold cases, unsolved crimes and victim impact statements?
When Charlene Flynn was only 4 she tried to awaken her 12-year-old brother, Patrick. Much to her shock, she discovered he was deceased. Her mother was later convicted. Charlene’s life went into a tailspin. She was placed in different foster care homes, group homes, and psychiatric hospitals prior to living with relatives. But Charlene was determined to overcome her past and live up to her potential. Listen as this remarkable young woman (now a mother herself) explains how she did just that.
Dr. Melton had “hit the sweet spot” in her marriage to Sonny. They were building a home together and thoroughly enjoyed country music. Listen as she describes the evening of October 1, 2017 when they attended the Route 91 festival along with 22,000 others. It would end like no other concert in the United States and claim the life of her husband and best friend.
Anissa Perry learned, at the funeral of her spouse, that two pregnant mourners at the ceremony were her newly deceased husband’s girlfriends. Anissa not only lost her spouse, but her vision of him. Moreover, she was the last to know… She experienced “conflicted grief.” This is a common but unspoken condition where the mourner has some relief alongside grief.
Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) are no stranger to homicides. This and other crimes take their toll on those who aid us in our time of need. The stress can be overwhelming, especially when the LEO has other pressures and a lack of supervisory support. Nick Ruggerio explains the origins of his mission to change this.
Tara Myers lost her brother and sister to separate homicides in Sells, Arizona. She and her loved ones have been marginalized in life and her siblings have been marginalized in death. Here she describes her uphill battle with turning away from alcohol and finding some relief from her grief. Much too little is published about the high and disproportionate victimization of Indigenous people in North America. It has given birth to the MMIW movement. Listen as Tara describes her all-too-familiar experiences with this shameful chapter in American history.
Ever wonder what demands were placed on staff servicing the Pulse Nightclub when the mass casualty occurred? What about the homicide survivors who poured in following the news (many of whom did not speak English?) Listen in as Roxy explains this from the view from the inside.
Joel Morales found himself in a tsunami of pressing needs while serving as the Director of Pulse Nightclub the night the massacre struck. Listen as he describes his journey into fulfilling that role, as well as the demands placed on him once the news broke.
Mark Bando received the heart-wrenching news that his son, Christopher “Drew” Leinonen was fatally shot ten times at the Pulse Nightclub. Fatigue and sadness are evident in his voice even now – years later.
