Warning. This episode contains details involving sexual abuse and may be disturbing to some listeners.

Some names in this story have been redacted or changed to protect the privacy of those involved.

There are also some details involving animal cruelty as well.

Listener discretion is strongly advised. At the beginning of September, I received this email.

Hi, Roseanne, I'm writing this email on behalf of my mother,

name Redacted, who asked me to approach you.

I recently made the mistake of asking if she ever

knew anyone who was murdered. She told me a very long heart-wrenching story of

her childhood. Things she buried in her mind years ago and now that I've

resurfaced. She feels a lack of resolution to this story and wants someone to

cover it. Honestly as a true fan, I think it is a story worth telling.

I'm sending this from my email, but the below message is hers.

Feel free to reach out to me and I'd be happy to connect you.

She's eager to share, but asked me to help be a filter.

Remembering these events have left her a little raw.

She says,

I am a native Californian and have been an avid listener of your

podcast for several years.

I love how you bring compassion to devastating events and are able to

present complex stories to your audience. That's why I'm writing to you. I'm part of a complex story that has touched many people and multiple generations

through the actions of a man named Melvin Just. I'm related to him by marriage

and related by a different marriage to many of his victims.

...