In this week's episode, we unravel the tragic story of Jason Bass, a young man fatally stabbed in a Rhode Island road rage incident that quickly turned into a case of mistaken identity.

In September 2020, Andra Adams was tragically killed in Seattle, Washington, after being run over by her boyfriend.  While mounting questions surround her death, no charges have been filed, and her family continues to fight for accountability and answers.

In October 2021, Meghan Kiefer was brutally stabbed 54 times by her ex-boyfriend outside her Long Island home. In May 2023, he was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder, following his attempted flight to North Carolina after the crime.

Gabby Petito, a 22-year-old travel blogger, was found murdered in September 2021 after going missing during a cross-country trip with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie. Her death sparked widespread media attention, and Laundrie was later found dead, with authorities concluding he was responsible for her murder. In this episode, the hosts of Moms and Mysteries sit down with Nichole Schmidt, Gabby Petito's mother, to discuss the foundation she and Gabby's family started, the warning signs of unhealthy relationships, the current state of domestic violence worldwide, and essential resources available for victims and survivors.

Special thanks to Nichole Schmidt, Gabby’s mom, for sharing her story and the important work the Gabby Petito Foundation is doing to raise awareness about domestic violence. To learn more, visit gabbypetitofoundation.org.

Francine Hughes, a mother of four, set fire to her Michigan home in 1977, killing her ex-husband after enduring thirteen years of relentless abuse. The case gained national attention and became a pivotal moment in raising awareness about domestic violence and the legal challenges survivors face.

Research by Elizabeth Atwood.

Emma Compton, a small business owner from Halifax County, Virginia, was found murdered in 2017 after disappearing under mysterious circumstances and after years of domestic violence at the hands of her husband. Seven years later, her family continues to seek justice, as no arrests have been made in the case, and they remain committed to raising awareness and finding answers for her unresolved murder.

Research assistance by Anna Luria and Whitney St. Andre. 

And thank you to Brandie from Evaporate the Missing, who put us in touch with Emma’s sister Shawna. 

If you have any information in Emma’s case, please call the Halifax County crime line at 434-476-8445.

Jamilla 'Millie' Smith, a beloved mother of two, radiated warmth that touched the lives of all who knew her. Tragically, her light was extinguished by the hands of her abusive ex-boyfriend, leaving authorities and her grieving family in a relentless pursuit of justice and answers.

Police encourage anyone with information to contact the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office at 803-648-6811 or submit a tip at aikencountysheriff.net. The family is offering a $10,000 reward for information in Jamilla’s case. The family is also running a Facebook group, Find Jamilla Smith, where you can stay up to date on the case.

In 2017, Sara Starr, a beloved teacher in Coffee County, Alabama, was tragically found shot dead in her driveway. Despite years of investigation due to sparse evidence, authorities ultimately uncovered a complex murder-for-hire scheme.

In 1987, college student Cathy Sposito was brutally murdered while hiking in Yavapai County, Arizona. Decades later, through the efforts of volunteers and advances in genetic genealogy, her case and others were solved, providing closure to victims' families.

Lana Stempien, a vibrant attorney with a love for boating, disappeared mysteriously with her boyfriend Chuck Rutherford during a planned trip on Lake Huron in 2005. Despite extensive investigations and theories, including suspicions of foul play, Lana's body was found weeks later, while Chuck's whereabouts remain unknown, leaving the case unresolved and fraught with unanswered questions.

In 2015, Carrie and Steven Turner were getting ready for retirement, on the verge of a peaceful life in Myrtle Beach, met a tragic end during a fateful trip. After the police found their bodies in their hotel room, the search was on to find the couple’s son, who quickly became the number one suspect.

Bianca Carrasco, a devoted mother of three, went missing in May 2016 after a reported argument with her husband, leaving her family desperate for answers. Nearly eight years without answers, the family remains determined to find Bianca and prove she would not have willingly left her children and belongings behind.

Dubbed "the world's most wanted woman" in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Elaine Parent was sought for the murder of her potential roommate, Beverly McGowan. Using over 20 different identities and mastering disguise, Elaine eluded authorities for more than a decade.

This week we are discussing the life and tragic death of Judy Malinowski, a woman from Ohio, who lost her life after being set on fire by her ex-boyfriend in 2015. Despite suffering severe burns, she fought for two years before succumbing to her injuries, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice.

This week, we are discussing the story of a young mother named Nicole VanderHeyden, who was murdered after a night out with her boyfriend and other friends. And while police quickly honed in on a suspect, as more information came in, they quickly realized that the most obvious suspect isn't always the correct one.

In 2019, renowned child psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Bouchard went missing after a trip to Las Vegas. Police quickly discovered that he was not a missing person but rather the victim of a gruesome homicide.

This week, we are discussing the murder of 19-year-old Alaska native Sonya Ivanoff, who was walking home one night after visiting a friend. Fortunately a brave eyewitness came forward with information that would turn the investigation on its head. 

This week, we are discussing the disappearance and assumed murder of New York resident Gail Katz as she attempted to leave her abusive husband. Decades go by before Gail’s family learns the truth about what happened to her from a very unlikely person.

This week, we are discussing the murder of bride-to-be Molly Watson, which occurred less than two days before her wedding. Little did Molly know that the man she was planning to marry had a secret life that unraveled and ultimately led to her death.

This week, we are discussing the murder of Chad Entzel, a North Dakota native. When police first arrived at Chad’s home, which he shared with his wife, they initially believed Chad had died by suicide. However, they quickly realized that something far more nefarious had taken place inside the home.