been recovered—leaving her family trapped between accountability and the absence of true closure.

The episode unpacks the complex dynamics of control, manipulation, and power within relationships, while drawing unsettling parallels to the disappearance of Taalibah Islam, another woman connected to the same man. Through these cases, Steph challenges listeners to reflect on the role of witnesses, the warning signs of abuse, and the lasting impact unanswered questions leave on families.

As the season comes to a close, Steph reflects on the emotional journey of Season 8 and expresses deep gratitude to the Murder in the Black community for their continued support. Select episodes will rebroadcast during the break, with Season 9 returning with new cases and deeper conversations.

Keywords

Murder in the Black, Typhenie Johnson, Taalibah Islam, true crime, missing persons, unresolved case, kidnapping, control, abusive relationships, Season 8 finale

• Typhenie Johnson’s case remains unresolved despite a kidnapping conviction

• Legal accountability does not always bring closure

• Patterns of control and manipulation can escalate into disappearance

• Taalibah Islam’s case mirrors chilling similarities

• Families of the missing live with unanswered questions

• Community awareness and vigilance matter

• Witnesses to abuse play a critical role

• Gratitude and reflection close out Season 8

• Select rebroadcasts will air during the hiatus

• Season 9 promises deeper, more intentional storytelling
Chapters

00:00 – Season 8 Finale Introduction

00:00 – The Disappearance of Typhenie Johnson

00:00 – Parallels to Taalibah Islam 00:00 – Control, Abuse, and Power Dynamics

00:00 – Accountability vs. Closure 00:00 – Season Reflection & Community Thanks

In this episode, host Steph examines two deeply unsettling true-crime cases that reveal how pressure, secrecy, and fractured relationships can shape devastating outcomes. We begin with the disappearance of Harmahn Smith in 2005, a case that unraveled into a web of complex relationships, community pressures, and the vulnerabilities that young people often carry silently.

From there, Steph turns to the world of pageantry and perfection, unpacking the story of Aria Armstead and her boyfriend Nathan Ortiz—a couple whose lives spiraled into darkness, ultimately leading to the murder of Matthew Collins. Through Matthew’s tragic death, we see how competition, identity, and emotional instability can become combustible when amplified by outside expectations and internal turmoil.

Together, these intertwined narratives raise critical questions about justice, the roots of violence, and the cultural forces that quietly influence young lives long before tragedy strikes.

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Congratulations to our giveaway winners!
🖤 @kamariadowns3926
🖤 @TamTam-z8i-n5x
🖤 @lisaberry8443

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In this episode, Steph explores a real-life case that feels eerily similar to A Thin Line Between Love and Hate — except this story ends in tragedy, not movie credits.

When Memphis police officer Tony Hayes goes missing after Labor Day 2006, his family immediately senses something is wrong. Their search leads detectives straight to his girlfriend, Monique Johnson, a corrections officer whose jealousy, heartbreak, and long history of turbulent relationships spiral into violence.

As the investigation unfolds, the truth behind Tony and Monique’s relationship comes to light — the red flags, the manipulation, the rage, and the series of choices that ended with Tony’s body found in the trunk of his own car.

This episode also revisits Monique’s 2023 attempted murder charges, nearly 20 years later, showing that some patterns don’t disappear with time.

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🔍 In This Episode

• Tony’s disappearance and the frantic search to find him

• The toxic relationship between Tony and Monique

• Conflicting stories and the evidence that revealed the truth

• Why the jury convicted her of reckless homicide instead of murder

• The disturbing 2023 arrest involving a new boyfriend

• How unhealed trauma can turn dangerous

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  📌 Need Help?

  If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, contact:
  1-800-799-SAFE | thehotline.org

  
  

  🎄 Season 8 Announcements

  • Giveaway winners announced December 11

  • Holiday hiatus with rebroadcasts

  • New episodes for subscribers continue

  • Final episode of the year drops December 19

  • Giveaway winners announced December 11