In rural Michigan, a young woman dreamed of building a loving home, raising her children, and creating the kind of future so many couples imagine at the beginning of a marriage.

Years later, her story would become one of the most influential domestic violence cases in American history.

In this episode of Deadly Devotion, we look beyond the headlines to explore who Francine Hughes was before her name became known around the world. Together, we'll examine the relationship that changed her life, the courtroom testimony that challenged long-held beliefs about abuse, and the legacy that continues to shape conversations about trauma, justice, and compassion nearly fifty years later.

This isn't simply the story of a trial.

It's the story of a woman whose life helped change the way many people understand domestic violence.

Because before there was a courtroom...

There was a family.

There was hope.

And there was a life.

Sources:

• The Burning Bed by Faith McNulty (1980)

• The Washington Post – Francine Hughes Wilson, whose "Burning Bed" became a TV film, dies at 69
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/francine-hughes-wilson-whose-burning-bed-became-a-tv-film-dies-at-69/2017/03/31/a1799db8-161c-11e7-ada0-1489b735b3a3_story.html

• Francine Hughes biography
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francine_Hughes

• National Domestic Violence Hotline
https://www.thehotline.org

• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)
https://ncadv.org

Episode 12: Travis Alexander | When Love Becomes Possession

Before Travis Alexander became the center of one of America's most infamous murder trials, he was a son, a brother, a mentor, and a man known for his generosity, optimism, and unwavering faith.

In this episode of Deadly Devotion, we look beyond the headlines surrounding Jodi Arias and instead focus on the life of Travis Alexander. Through careful research, we follow the evolution of their relationship, examine the warning signs that emerged over time, and walk alongside investigators as they pieced together one of the most compelling digital evidence cases in modern criminal history.

More than a courtroom drama, this episode explores the difference between love and possession, the importance of healthy boundaries, and why every victim deserves to be remembered for the life they lived—not just the way it ended.

If you enjoyed today's episode, please consider following Deadly Devotion, leaving a five-star review, and sharing this episode. Your support helps bring awareness to relationship violence, honors victims and their families, and allows these stories to continue reaching those who need to hear them.

Sources

• Maricopa County Attorney's Office – State of Arizona v. Jodi Arias (case information)

• Arizona Judicial Branch – Court records and proceedings

• ABC News – Coverage of the Travis Alexander murder investigation and Jodi Arias trial

• CBS News – Jodi Arias trial coverage and timeline

• Court TV – Trial coverage, testimony, and courtroom archives

• AP News – Reporting on the verdict and sentencing

Resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional abuse, coercive control, stalking, or intimate partner violence, help is available.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: The Hotline
Call: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Text: START to 88788

• Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center (SPARC): SPARC

• One Love Foundation – Learn the warning signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships: One Love Foundation

In May 2002, 24-year-old Evelyn Hernandez vanished from San Francisco while eight months pregnant. Her five-year-old son, Alex, disappeared with her.

Evelyn wasn't just another headline. She was an immigrant from El Salvador, a devoted mother, a beloved sister, and a woman preparing to welcome her second son into the world. As investigators searched for answers, her story would eventually be overshadowed by another high-profile case that captivated the nation—leaving many people unaware that Evelyn's family was still desperately searching for justice.

In this episode of Deadly Devotion, we carefully examine the evidence, the investigation, and the unanswered questions that remain more than two decades later. Most importantly, we remember Evelyn for who she was before she became a case file.

Because every victim deserves to be remembered with dignity.

If you have credible information regarding the homicide of Evelyn Hernandez or the disappearance of Alex Hernandez, please contact the San Francisco Police Department.

Sources:

• San Francisco Police Department – Cold Case: Evelyn Hernandez: San Francisco Police Department – Evelyn Hernandez Cold Case

• ABC News Primetime investigation: ABC News – Evelyn Hernandez Investigation

• SFGATE – What Happened to Evelyn Hernandez?: SFGATE – What Happened to Evelyn Hernandez?

• SFGATE archive reporting (2002): SFGATE Archive – Remains May Be S.F. Woman Who Vanished

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: The Hotline
Call: 800-799-7233 (SAFE) or text START to 88788.

In this episode of Deadly Devotion, we look beyond the headlines to explore the psychology behind one of the most infamous marriages in modern true crime. We examine the rise and fall of the Broderick family, the emotional toll of divorce, the dangers of losing your identity within a relationship, and why this case continues to divide public opinion more than three decades later.

Betty Broderick's case remains one of America's most debated true crime stories. Was she a woman pushed beyond her breaking point after years of sacrifice, betrayal, and a bitter divorce? Or was she a calculated killer who allowed resentment to consume her?

This isn't just a story about murder. It's a story about love, ambition, betrayal, resentment, and the choices we make when life doesn't unfold the way we imagined.

Join me as we explore the warning signs, the relationship dynamics, and the lessons we can learn from A Marriage Unraveled.

🎧 Listener discretion is advised. This episode discusses domestic violence, homicide, and emotionally abusive relationships that may be difficult for some listeners.

Research & Further Reading

• Bella Stumbo — Until the Twelfth of Never: The Deadly Divorce of Dan and Betty Broderick
  Los Angeles Times book review and overview
• Los Angeles Times Archives — Chronology of the Betty Broderick Case
  Chronology of the Broderick Case
• Los Angeles Times — The Real Story Behind Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story
  Betty Broderick: The true story behind Dirty John
• People Magazine — Betty Broderick case overview
  What Happened to Betty Broderick?
• People Magazine — The Broderick Children Today
  Where Are Betty Broderick's Children Now?
• Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story (TV dramatization starring Amanda Peet and Christian Slater)
  Background on the series and the real case

Thank you for your patience while I navigated some unexpected travel challenges—this has been a long-awaited episode, and I'm so grateful to finally share it with you.

In this episode of Deadly Devotion, we examine the heartbreaking case of Cherica Adams, a young mother-to-be whose life was forever changed by jealousy, control, and violence. What should have been a joyful new chapter became a tragedy that shocked the world and left an innocent child fighting for survival.

Together, we'll explore the events leading up to Cherica's murder, the warning signs that often go unnoticed, and the lasting impact her story continues to have today. As always, our goal is not to sensationalize tragedy, but to honor victims, raise awareness, and learn from the patterns that can turn devotion into something deadly.

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following, rating, and reviewing Deadly Devotion. Your support helps us continue sharing these important stories and keeping victims' memories alive.

Sources & Further Reading

Charlotte Observer – "Murder, Miracles and Rae Carruth: 25 Years Later" (2024)
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article295035034.html

Charlotte Observer – "Rae Carruth Case: Timeline of One of Charlotte's Most Notorious Murders" (2024)
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article295297719.html

ABC News – "Gunman Describes Cherica Adams' Killing"
https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/story?id=100048&page=1

ESPN – "Carruth Guilty of Conspiracy, Lesser Charges"
https://www.espn.com/nfl/playoffs00/news/2001/0119/1026558.html

Charlotte Magazine – "Cherica Adams Is Murdered"
https://www.charlottemagazine.com/cherica-adams-is-murdered/

For a more in-depth examination of the case and its lasting impact, listeners may also wish to explore The Charlotte Observer's award-winning "Carruth" podcast series.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of domestic violence, homicide, and violence against a pregnant woman. Listener discretion is advised.

Faith Hedgepeth was just 22 years old when her life was brutally cut short in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

A proud member of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe, Faith was a college student with dreams, close friendships, and a future full of possibilities. But after a night out with friends in September 2012, she was found murdered in her apartment, leaving investigators, her family, and the public searching for answers.

For nearly nine years, the case remained unsolved. A mysterious voicemail, conflicting timelines, public speculation, and countless theories kept Faith's name in the headlines. Yet behind the mystery was a grieving family determined to ensure their daughter would never be forgotten.

In this episode of Deadly Devotion, we explore Faith's life, the investigation that captivated the nation, the DNA breakthrough that finally led to an arrest, and the legacy her family built in her honor. We also discuss the broader issue of violence against Indigenous women and why so many families continue fighting for visibility, justice, and answers.

This episode contains discussions of violence, homicide, and sexual assault that may be disturbing to some listeners.

Resources:

National Indigenous Women's Resource Center
https://www.niwrc.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline
https://www.thehotline.org
Call or Text: 800-799-7233

StrongHearts Native Helpline
https://strongheartshelpline.org
Call or Text: 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483)

Sources for this Episode:

• Justice for Faith Official Website — Faith’s family website dedicated to preserving her memory and sharing updates on the case.
• Killing of Faith Hedgepeth Overview — Timeline, investigation details, DNA evidence, arrest information, and court developments.
• ABC11 Coverage of the Arrest and Family Reactions — Interviews with family members, tribal leaders, scholarship recipients, and discussion of Faith's legacy.
• The Daily Tar Heel Coverage Archive — Local reporting and timeline coverage surrounding the case.
• 💙 Faith's Smile Memorial Scholarship
  Faith's Smile Scholarship Information
  Created in honor of Faith Danielle Hedgepeth, this scholarship supports Native American young women pursuing higher education.
• 💙 Justice for Faith
  Justice for Faith Memorial Website
  A website created by Faith's family to preserve her memory, share updates, and continue advocating for justice.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review Deadly Devotion. Your support helps us continue honoring victims, raising awareness, and telling stories that deserve to be remembered.

On this episode of Deadly Devotion, we explore the heartbreaking story of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez — the beloved Queen of Tejano music whose talent, warmth, creativity, and infectious spirit changed music forever.

Long before her life was tragically cut short, Selena was more than a rising star. She was a daughter, a wife, a sister, a designer, and a young woman with enormous dreams and a deep love for her fans. Her charisma lit up every room she entered, and her music continues to connect generations decades later.

In this episode, we look beyond the headlines to explore Selena’s rise to fame, her close-knit family, the pressure of success, and the complicated relationship that would ultimately lead to tragedy. We also examine the warning signs, blurred boundaries, emotional dependence, and misplaced trust that quietly unfolded behind the scenes.

This is not just a story about celebrity. It’s a story about loyalty, admiration, obsession, and the devastating consequences that can happen when trust falls into the wrong hands.

Join me as we honor Selena’s life and legacy with compassion while unpacking one of the most shocking tragedies in music history.

Sources & Resources:

• Selena Official Website
https://selenaqofficial.com

• Biography.com – Selena Quintanilla Biography
https://www.biography.com/musicians/selena-quintanilla

• Texas Monthly – Selena’s Legacy & Story
https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/selena-texas-legacy/

• Corpus Christi Caller-Times
https://www.caller.com

• IMDb – Selena (1997 Film)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120094/

• Netflix – Selena: The Series
https://www.netflix.com/title/81022733

• Grammy – Selena Artist Profile
https://www.grammy.com/artists/selena/6499

In Episode 6 of Deadly Devotion, we explore the shocking and deeply disturbing case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard — a story that begins with a devoted mother caring for her chronically ill daughter and ends in murder.

For years, the world believed Gypsy was suffering from leukemia, muscular dystrophy, seizures, and countless other medical conditions. Friends, neighbors, charities, and even doctors saw Dee Dee Blanchard as a selfless mother sacrificing everything to care for her sick child.

But behind the walls of their pink Missouri home, a far more sinister reality was unfolding.

As investigators would later uncover, many of Gypsy’s illnesses had been fabricated or exaggerated by the person meant to protect her most.

In this episode, we examine medical child abuse, coercive control, infantilization, identity manipulation, trauma, and the devastating psychological effects of being raised inside a life built entirely on deception.

Because sometimes the most dangerous prisons are not built with locks or chains…

but with dependency, fear, and the illusion of love.

Sources & Resources:

https://www.hulu.com/series/the-act

https://people.com/crime/gypsy-rose-blanchard-mother-dee-dee-killing-everything-to-know/

https://www.biography.com/crime/gypsy-rose-blanchard

https://abcnews.go.com/US/gypsy-rose-blanchard-release-prison-life-now/story?id=106051979

https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/murder/what-is-munchausen-by-proxy-understanding-the-disorder-at-the-center-of-gypsy-rose-blanchards-case

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/michelledean/dee-dee-wanted-her-daughter-to-be-sick-gypsy-wanted-her-mom

https://people.com/gypsy-rose-blanchard-parole-ending-a-whole-new-world-is-about-to-open-up-exclusive-11682102

https://www.lifetime.tv/shows/gypsy-rose-life-after-lock-up