The opinions expressed in the following episode do not necessarily reflect those of the Minds of Madness Podcast.

Listener discretion is advised. Oh, Nicole Nachtman was excited to begin university in Tallahassee, Florida, mostly because it meant

she'd finally be free from her mother's authoritarian parenting.

Little did she realize, no amount of distance could ever break the ties that connect a mother and a daughter.

Join me now as we examine a case about a young woman who spent the first 20 years of her life, trying to live up to her mother's unattainable standards,

a case where you'll be left to determine whether the tragic outcome was the result of a calculated

killer or a fragile mind being pushed to the edge. Nicole Nachman was born to Maryman Ronald on February 11th, 1994 in the state of Texas.

Unlike so many children born into similar circumstances, Nicole's life was destined for a rocky start.

From an early age, Nicole witnessed her parents failing marriage with a couple arguing daily.

Many of the fights escalating to physical violence on Miriam's part.

The turbulent relationship came to an end when Nicole was only three after her parents divorced.

It was then that Nicole's mother sought to take advantage of the Texas family court system,

legally alienating Ronald from his daughter.

Miriam claimed he was abusive, citing irresponsible behavior that made him unfit to be

apparent.

By 1998, Miriam succeeded in winning full custody of

Nicole and Ronald was legally barred from seeing her until 2015 when she would be of

legal age.

What followed for Nicole was a period of unending instability while Miriam moved from home to

home, no less than 16 times, causing Nicole to enroll in new schools each time.

Throughout the never-ending cycle of relocations, Ronald gradually lost track of his ex-wife

and daughter altogether.

...