Death Penalty

Episode 49 – FAMILY ANNIHILATOR: Edward Zakrzewski

November 9, 2020 by militarymurderpodcast@gmail.com

Air Force, Death Penalty, Fugitive, Military Spouse, Murder, Terrible Dad

air force, Death Row, Edward Zakrzewski, Family Annihilator

Ep49: FAMILY ANNIHILATOR: TSgt Edward Zakrzewski

In 1994, Air Force Technical Sergeant Edward Zakrzewski seemed to be living the dream – he was going to night college, had one more year before getting his degree – he was working at Eglin AFB, he had a beautiful wife, Sylvia, and two kids – a boy and a girl.

But like every picture-perfect family – there was turmoil, and talks about divorce made Edward uneasy. So much so, that when his son called him at work on June 9^th, 1994, Edward came up with a plan. Execute the entire family. Then flee the continental United States.

But a true crime staple from the 90s – UNSOLVED MYSTERIES – would lead to his demise – as it didn’t matter where he went, he couldn’t hide from the ever-popular show. (Btw – I tried to find the segment of UNSOLVED MYSTERIES – but it was nowhere to be found. I believe, it aired as a short segment and not as one of the three main stories in each episode).

Dig in with Margot as she tells you all about family annihilator – Edward Zakzewski.

Sylvia & Edward.
Image found here.

Edward still sits on Florida’s death row.
Image found here.

Ep49 Resources:

https://apnews.com/article/20340f59bb69ab208c4016aaa58da6d2
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/fl-supreme-court/1059229.html
Bill Kaczor, The Tampa Tribune, “Machete Killer of Wife, Children Gets Death Sentence From Judge,” April 20, 1996.
The Orland Sentinel, “Jury Recommends Death for Killer of 3,” Mar 31, 1996.
Edwin Tanji, Honolulu Advertiser, “Why Accused Killer Gave Up,” October 18, 1994.
Miami Herald, “Military Man Pleads Guilty to Killing Family,” March 21, 1996.
Unsolved Mysteries, Season 7, Episode 5, aired 21 October 1994: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TVvengvmKM
https://murderpedia.org/male.Z/z/zakrzewski-edward.htm
The Psychology Behind Family Annihilators

Episode 44 – The HiFi Murders

October 5, 2020 by militarymurderpodcast@gmail.com

Air Force, Death Penalty, Murder

Ep44. MURDER x3: The HiFi Murders

In 1974, five people were held at a local HiFi shop at gun point, as a few men raided the store of all of its audio equipment. The five people were Carol Naisbitt, Cortney Naisbitt, Orren Walker, Stanley Walker, and Michelle Ansley. The captives plead for their lives – telling the perpetrators to take everything they wanted but to spare them their lives.

However, what occurred in the HiFi basement was something out of a horror movie. Some of the victims were executed, some of the victims were tortured, and a few victims lived to tell the tale that would haunt the small sleepy community of Ogden, Utah for the last few decades.

The 3 perpetrators (Dale Pierre, William Andrews, Keith Roberts) came from the unlikeliest of places – Hill AFB, Utah. The active duty Airmen were quickly caught and brought to justice within 6 months of the murders.

Dig in with Margot as she discusses the most horrific crime in Utah history. This is the story of the HiFi murders.

Top Row – all deceased: Carol Naisbitt, Stanley Walker, Michelle Ansley. Bottom Row: Cortney Naisbitt (survived), Orren Walker (survived), William Andrews (convicted/executed 1987), Dale Pierre (convicted/executed 1992). Image from South Idaho Press, April 21, 1975.

Episode 44 Resources:

Episode 26 – Possible Serial Killer – Ward Weaver Jr.

April 13, 2020 by militarymurderpodcast@gmail.com

Army, Death Penalty, Murder, Serial Killer, Sexual Assault, Veteran

disappearance, murder, true crime

Episode 26 – Serial Killer? Ward Weaver Jr. – Part 1

Ward Weaver Jr. had a terrible upbringing. He was beaten and abused by both his father and his mother. He joined the Army and served his time in Vietnam. When he returned he became a long-haul truck driver. Along his route, dozens of women would turn up dead, but they were not tied to him. However, two couples would see a terrible fate. One couple barely survived, and another couple, Robert Radford and Barbara Levoy, well – they weren’t lucky enough to survive.

The story of Ward Weaver Jr. doesn’t end with him though, the story continues, as his son went on to commit heinous and very similar murders to Ward Junior. Join me in this episode as I tell you all about the murders of Robert Radford and Barbara Levoy and how their killer was caught.

But…this is only Part 1. In order to get the entire story – you have to listen to Wife of Crime Podcast. Part 2 of this series comes out on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. Don’t miss out on the entire story! You can find Wife of Crime here.

Ward Weaver Jr.
Image found here.

Ruth McCarty hold’s an image of her daughter, Barbara Levoy
Barbara was kidnapped and murdered by Weaver Jr. in 1981.
Image found here.

Ward Weaver Jr., Patricia Zieske, Dorothy (Ward’s Mother), unknown
Image found here.

Ward Weaver Jr. in the 1980s
Image found here.

Ward Weaver “Killer” Family Genes
Image found here.

Episode 26: Resources:

People v. Ward Francis Weaver, Jr., 111 Cal. Rptr. 2d 2 (2001), https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=7600222374663496614&q=ward+francis+weaver&hl=en&as_sdt=4,5 (last accessed on 4 Apr 20).
Robert Lee Hotz & John Johnson, The Tennesean, “Sins of the Father: Can a Killer Instinct be Inherited?” July 6, 2003.
Times Standard, “Assault Suspect Arraigned,” October 29, 1976.
Evil Kin, Season 3, Episode 9, “Lost Highway,” Investigation Discovery.
https://www.murderminute.com/story/a-tale-of-two-weavers
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13949851/barbara-ann-levoy
https://www.bakersfield.com/delano-record/death-penalty-supporters-in-kern-decry-governor-s-suspension-of/article_bf797f88-478c-11e9-81da-039b290b9cd9.html (California is no longer doing death penalty)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suNhNF-4WlU
The Sacramento Bee, “Two Truckers Jailed In Rape and Shooting,” May 8, 1991.
Times, “The Southland,” November 2, 1981.
Jason Kotowski, Bakersfield, “Grandson of Notorious Kern County Kern County Killer Arrested on Suspicion of Murder,” February 20, 2014, https://www.bakersfield.com/archives/grandson-of-notorious-kern-county-killer-arrested-on-suspicion-of-murder/article_9365c022-4fad-5a07-9f5e-178fd8a97191.html

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Episode 18-The Texas Cadet Killers

February 24, 2020 by militarymurderpodcast@gmail.com

Air Force, Cadets, Death Penalty, Murder, Navy

death penatly, military murder, Naval Academy, USAFA

Ep-18: The Texas Cadet Killers – David Graham & Diane Zamora

In the Fall of 1996, David Graham and Diane Zamora were living out their dreams – each at highly competitive colleges. David Graham just finished up his first summer at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Diane Zamora finished up her first summer at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. But investigators soon came knocking.

David & Diane were high school sweethearts and they were engaged to be married. But when they went on to college, they were both harboring a terrible secret. A secret so terrible people would never believe it. The secret? They had both participated in the brutal murder of one of David’s high school classmates, 16-year old Adrianne Jones (AJ).

Even though David quickly came to the top of investigators lists as someone who may have been the last person to speak to AJ, it was hard for anyone to fathom that such a straight laced kid would be capable of a brutal murder. Tune in to this week’s episode of Military Murder, as I take you through the murder and discovery of AJ, as well as the investigation, and ultimately the written confessions of both David and Diane. Now, let’s dig in.

You can find David Graham’s confession here. You can find Diane’s confession here. Both confessions can be found online here.

Adrianne Jones
Picture found here

David Graham & Diane Zamora
Photo found here

Photo found here

Cover of People Magazine, October 1996
Photo found here

David Graham & Diane Zamora
Photo found here.

Episode 18 – Resources:

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Episode 17-Fort Stewart Militia – Private Aguigui & The Rise of the FEAR Four – Soldiers Killing Soldiers

February 17, 2020 by militarymurderpodcast@gmail.com

Army, Death Penalty, Murder

anti-government, army, domestic violence, gang, militia, terrorist

Ep 17: Fort Stewart Militia – Private Aguigui & The Rise of the FEAR Four – Soldiers Killing Soldiers

In 2011, Private Isaac Aguigui, an intelligence analyst stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia became a widower. His wife, Sergeant Deirdra Aguigui, who was 5-months pregnant with their son, died a few months after returning from Iraq (her death was unrelated to her deployment). It appeared that Private Aguigui was spiraling out of control after the death of his wife. He ranted to others who would listened that the Army killed his wife by prescribing medicine that caused blood clots. Private Aguigui found himself in trouble with the Army and spending a lot of time doing extra duty as punishment. It was while serving out his punishment that he met other equally disgruntled soldiers. Those soldiers were Christopher Salmon, Michael Roarke, Micheal Burnette, and Anthony Peden. Private Aguigui was able to manipulate these other men by having them buy in to his rhetoric that the Army and the U.S. government needed to be overthrown.

These five men, in collusion with others, formed a small but deadly militia. They called themselves F.E.A.R. Fear is an acronym that stands for Forever Enduring, Always Ready. F.E.A.R. had hefty goals, including assassinating the U.S. President, overthrowing the government, poisoning the Georgia apple orchard, bombing a local dam, and taking over the Fort Stewart ammunition control point.

But before they could attain their goals, they discovered a possible mole among the five close-knit men, 19-year old Michael Roarke. Roarke, who had been keen on wanting to deploy with the Army, joined the militia with promises that the group would restore order to the government. And Roarke was ALL IN! However, he soon met a 17-year old named Tiffany York, and everything changed. Tiffany soon moved in with Roarke. As Tiffany and Roarke got closer, Roarke realized the ideologies he once bought into with F.E.A.R. no longer rung true to his future goals. So, Roarke wanted out. Roarke had recently (December 2, 2011) been discharged from the Army and he wanted to secretly leave Georgia and start fresh with Tiffany in Washington state.

Private Aguigui discovered Roarke’s plans and feared Roarke would become a snitch. And this is where the remaining F.E.A.R. four members decided that Roarke had to die. Tune in to this episode to hear more about Private Aguigui, the creation and rise of the Fort Stewart F.E.A.R. militia, the murders committed by the group (and a prior, more personal, murder committed by their fearless leader), and their quick fall.

Mug Shots:
Isaac Aguigui (Top Left)
Christopher Salmon (Top Right)
Anthony Peden (Bottom Right)
Michael Burnett (Bottom Left)
Picture: Daily Mail

Sergeant Deirdra Aguigui (Pvt Aguigui’s late wife)
Picture: Daily Mail

This is the holiday video of Spc Deirdra Aguigui from Camp Ramadi, Iraq, November 10, 2010.

17-Year Old Tiffany York
Picture: Daily Mail

19-Year Old Michael Roarke
Picture: Daily Mail

Mug Shots:
Michael Burnette (Top Left)
Anthony Peden (Top Right)
Christopher Salmon (Bottom Right)
Isaac Aguigui (Bottom Left)
Picture: Wikipedia

Fort Stewart militia soldiers leaving the courthouse.
Christopher Salmon, Michael Burnett, Isaac Aguigui, Anthony Peden
Picture: Daily Mail

Episode 17: Resources

Dickson, Caitlin, Daily Beast, “The Georgia Militia Murders.” July 11, 2017, https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-georgia-militia-murders (last accessed on 28 Jan 20).
Labi, Nadya, The New Yorker, “Rogue Element.” May 19, 2014, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/05/26/rogue-element (last accessed on 28 Jan 20).
Investigation Discovery, Deadly Devotion, Season 2, Episode 3, “The War Within.”
https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/02/02/families-of-violent-soldier-militia-victims-awarded-4-million/
Carter, Mike, Task & Purpose, “Army To Pay $4 Million To Families of Couple Killed By Soldiers Tied to Extremist Group,” February 1, 2018, https://taskandpurpose.com/army-pay-4-million-families-couple-killed-extremist-soldiers (last accessed on 28 Jan 20).
“’FEAR’ victim’s family members seek $30-million from US Army.” March 28, 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfBtNpFpBbY&t=85s (last accessed on 28 Jan 20).
DVIDS video, Camp Ramadi, Iraq (Spc. Deirdra Aguigui, November 10, 2010, https://www.dvidshub.net/video/221269/spc-deirdre-aguigui (last accessed on 28 Jan 20).
https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2013/fear-rising
https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-seattle-army-trial-20170406-story.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2196000/Tiffany-York-Stepfather-girl-17-killed-soldiers-cover-plans-assassinate-president-lunges-court-District-Attorney-says-hell-seek-death-penalty.html
https://www.wsav.com/news/last-fear-militia-member-sentenced-in-connection-with-2011-long-county-double-murder/
https://www.wsav.com/news/soldiers-wife-pleads-in-fear-militia-murder/
https://medium.com/hatewatch-blog/final-member-of-fear-terror-group-sentenced-80dd02cf4044
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/army-private-convicted-of-murdering-pregnant-wife/

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Episode 16-The Air Force Promotion Test Cheating Murder

February 10, 2020 by militarymurderpodcast@gmail.com

Air Force, Death Penalty, Murder

air force, murder, Spouse

Episode 16 – The Air Force Promotion Test Cheating Murder

When Kathleen Lipscomb, a married nurse with 2-children, went missing in the summer of 1986, there were a lot of suspects. But due to either negligence or laziness – the case quickly went cold even through there were various suspicious people in Kathleen’s life, like her Air Force husband, William Lipscomb. They were going through a rough divorce. Also suspicious was her lover, Dr. Pearle (also her boss) and his wife (who refused to leave her husband even after she discovered his infidelity). And then there was her coworker (also her neighbor) who failed to return to work starting on the day she was murdered. All very suspicious.

Bill Lipscomb eventually moved away and left Kathleen’s mother behind to deal with the unsolved murder of her daughter. But Nadine Adams (Kathleen’s mother) refused to sit around. Nadine had her suspicions and she hired a private investigator that would dig so deep, it would reveal an enlisted promotion test cheating scandal so big it could lead to murder if exposed.

Tune in this week to hear about the investigation of Kathleen Lipscomb’s murder and how her meticulous note-taking in her weekly planner/diary lead to the answer – who killed Kathleen Lipscomb?

Kathleen Lipscomb
Photo: Findagrave.com

A Clue from the Grave by Irene Pence
Available for purchase here.

William Lipscomb. Prison picture
Photo: HLN

Daily Press
By: Charles H. Bogino

Daily Press

Episode 16 Resources:

Pence, Irene, “A Clue from the Grave.” 1997, https://www.amazon.com/CLUE-GRAVE-Irene-Pence/dp/0786013435/ref=dp_ob_title_bk?pldnSite=1
https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/ (fbob inmate search)
https://militaryjusticeforall.com/tag/bill-lipscomb/
https://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-xpm-19890719-1989-07-19-8907190179-story.html
https://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-xpm-19900821-1990-08-21-9008210150-story.html
Forensics Files, True Lies, Season 8, Episode 27, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUP1fCaPbUc
Scorned: Love Kills, Sex, Secrets, & Sergeants, Season 5, Episode 5 https://militaryjusticeforall.com/2018/10/31/scorned-love-kills-7-military-veteran-cases-featured-in-the-investigation-discovery-series-2018/
In Plain Sight, The Cheating Killer, Season 1, Episode 17 https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/tv-shows/in-plain-sight/full-episodes/the-cheating-killer
https://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-xpm-19900821-1990-08-21-9008210150-story.html

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Episode 13 – Dwight J. Loving – Commutation

January 20, 2020 by militarymurderpodcast@gmail.com

Army, Death Penalty

Ep13 – MURDER x2: The Taxicab Murders
The Commutation of Dwight J. Loving’s Death Sentence

Dwight J. Loving was a born in Rochester, New York. The youngest of eight children. His mother and father had a volatile relationship and the Department of Social Services spent a significant amount of time at the Loving household.

Dwight was raised mostly by the streets, having gotten into fights and was even shot at when he was young. He had discipline issues, so his mother put him in boxing. He boxed from ages 10-15 (give or take a year) and he was a very good boxer. But when he became a teenager, he met a girl and everything else went down the drain.

In 1986, when Dwight was 18, he joined the Army. His first duty station was Fort Hood. Upon arrival, he was having non-stop issues, he got into a fight, he failed an urinalysis (marijuana) and started being late to work. His leadership was sick and tired of it and was getting ready to kick him out of the military. But his supervisor asked that they give him one more shot. And for a few months he did great! Until September 1988, when he met Nadia Pessima Simmons, an Italian immigrant, who left her husband in New York and moved to Killeen, Texas. She worked as a waitress at a top-less bar that was near the military base.

Dwight fell hard. So much so that he often told her that he would die for her. That Christmas season, Dwight would feel overwhelmed by the prospect of not being able to give Nadia the gifts he thought she deserved. So he took steps that ultimately landed him on military death row.

Dig in with me, as we navigate Dwight’s crimes, the proceeding court-martial, all of the appellate decisions, including a review by the U.S. Supreme Court, and ultimately the President’s authority to commute military sentences.

Young Dwight J. Loving.
Image available here.

Dwight J. Loving
Image available here.

Dwight J. Loving’s Statement to Police.
Image snippet from Democrat & Chronicle, 23 Apr 89

Dwight J. Loving’s Statement to Police
Image snippet from Democrat & Chronicle, 23 Apr 89

Dwight J. Loving confession

Dwight J. Loving’s Statement to Police
Image snippet from Democrat & Chronicle, 23 Apr 89

Resources: Episode 13

https://files.deathpenaltyinfo.org/legacy/files/pdf/Article-71-5-30-03.pdf (request for commutation for the President)
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-07-12-mn-14806-story.html
https://militaryjusticeforall.com/tag/christopher-fay/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4130100/Soldier-military-death-row-spared-President-Obama.html
https://www.lifezette.com/2017/01/heartbreaking-impact-of-obama-commutation/
https://murderpedia.org/male.L/l/loving-dwight.htm (Read the Supreme Court Opinion Here)
https://murderpedia.org/male.L/images/loving_dwight/03-8007.pdf
41 MJ 213
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/12/16/Army-charges-soldier-in-cabbie-death/2510598251600/ -news article
http://www.caaflog.com/wp-content/uploads/Loving-cert-opp.pdf
https://scholarlycommons.law.wlu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1506&context=wlulr
https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/caaf/06-8006-AR/06-8006-AR-2006-09-29.html
https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/texas/article/Ex-soldier-from-Texas-gets-new-life-from-Obama-10863376.php#photo-12205812
Mills, Steve, Democrat & Chronicle, “Obsessive love led to 2 killings.” 23 April 1989. Democrat & Cronicle_23Apr89 / Democrat & Cronicle_23Apr89 – pg 2
Loving – Supreme Crt – Gov’t opposing brief

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Episode 9-MURDER x2: A Father’s Revenge Killing (Death Penalty)

December 23, 2019 by militarymurderpodcast@gmail.com

Death Penalty, Marine Corps, Murder

death penalty, domestic violence, family violence, john battaglia, marine corps, murder, veteran

Episode 9-MURDER x2: A Father’s Revenge Killing (Death Penalty)

John Battaglia Jr was a military brat, used to his life getting uprooted, while his father was in the military. His father retired as John got to high school and John was excited to stay in one place. But as soon as he got adjusted to his new high school, his father uprooted the family yet again. John followed in his father’s footsteps doing one 4-year tour with the Marines, which by all accounts, was unremarkable. After he separated from the Marine Corps, he decided to work on becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

In the 80s and 90s, John Battaglia Jr. was a handsome Marine veteran who used his looks and his charm to sweet talk women in his life. But there was a secret inside that he unleashed as soon as his wives were “trapped” in marriage with this monster. His first wife, Michelle Ward, a highly educated lawyer, suffered domestic abuse at his hands, while his second wife, Mary Jeane, a wealthy woman suffered both emotional and then later physical abuse at his hands. John terrorized his estranged wives and then his ex-wives, but the real terror wouldn’t be “directly” against his unlucky ex-wives, his terror and vengeful plan would be executed on the most innocent of innocent. Dig in with Margot as she discusses John Battaglia Jr.’s reign of terror on his family.

Warning: This episode contains issues of domestic violence and violence against children. Listener discretion is advised.

If you or anyone you know is suffering from domestic violence, needs help, encouragement, or support, please contact the NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE at 1-800-799-SAFE(7233).

*Click directly on image to be taken to its original source.

Liberty & Faith

Faith & Liberty with their father,
John Battaglia Jr., only 3 months before
the gruesome murders.

The Battaglia Family in happier times – in this image – Liberty was still in diapers.

(Left) John Battaglia immediately after his arrest
(Right) John Battaglia around the time of his execution

Episode 9-Resources

Pence, Irene. No, Daddy, Don’t: A Father’s Murderous Act of Revenge. Pinnacle Books, 2003.
Harris, Chris, People Magazine, “Texas Man Executed For 2001 Murders of Daughters as Their Anguished Mom Listened Over Phone.” 1 February 2018, https://people.com/crime/texas-man-executed-murders-daughters-john-david-battaglia/ (last accessed on 2 Sep 19).
Tsiaperas, Tasha, The Dallas Morning News, “John Battaglia taunts ex-wife before being executed for killing their girls while she listened in horror.” 2 February 2018, https://www.dallasnews.com/news/courts/2018/02/02/john-battaglia-taunts-ex-wife-before-being-executed-for-killing-their-girls-while-she-listened-in-horror/ (last accessed on 2 Sep 19).
John Hancock, et al., The Dallas Morning News, “In Killers’ Minds, Love Never Left.” 2014, http://res.dallasnews.com/interactives/2014_deadlyaffection/part3/#_ga=2.17087673.1264782868.1567476419-1215025237.1567476418 (last accessed on 2 Sep 19).
Michaud, Stephen, Dallas Observer, “Killers Among Us.” March 28, 2002, https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/killers-among-us-6390307 (last accessed on 2 Sep 19).
MRT, May 14, 2003, https://www.mrt.com/news/article/North-Texas-man-convicted-in-wife-s-slaying-7932163.php (last accessed on 2 Sep 19).
Patrick Timothy Richardson, The Texas Tribune, TDCJ Criminal History, https://www.texastribune.org/library/data/texas-prisons/inmates/patrick-timothy-richardson/1152871/ (last accessed on 2 Sep 19).
Richardson v. State, 83 S.W.3d 332 (Tex. App. 2002), https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1404922/richardson-v-state/ (last accessed on 2 Sep 19).
“Three Dead In Family Disturbance.” Oct 4, 2001, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2001/10/04/Three-dead-in-family-disturbance/42181002222085/ (last accessed on 24 Oct 19).
National Domestic Violence Hotline, https://www.thehotline.org/, 800-799-SAFE (7233).
Schlesinger, Louis, Aggression and Violent Behavior, Vol 1, Issue 4, “The Catathymic Crisis, 1912-Present: A Review and Clinical Study.” Winter 1996, Pages 307-316, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359178996000031 (last accessed on 31 Oct 19).
Michelle Ward Ghetti’s Keynote Speech at the Northwest Family Justice Center Gala, https://www.facebook.com/tom.pace.777/videos/3104982159543045/UzpfSTE1MjA3Njg2MTg6MTAyMjA0OTYxMDg0MjIzMTk/?__tn__=%2CdC-R-R&eid=ARDWMx0Rkdz98bJo2Oj0OJjti3FeGpf1Lok08E_xoVIv3Wi9tpnWKjOj1ADxWwc9HCxf1J9fxzy9XZLH&hc_ref=ARQGYhqpxICYztphlZK1HH_h3vjOEvWF51kBmBr0o4X-J3oDp4HxtScaXOAaP8_XFVw&fref=nf (Michelle Ward’s Story)

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Episode 8-MURDER (x’s 2): The Murder of Janek Pietrzak & Quiana Jenkins-Pietrzak

December 16, 2019 by militarymurderpodcast@gmail.com

Death Penalty, Marine Corps, Murder

death penalty, janek pietrzak, marines, military murder, quiana jenkins, true crime, veterans

Episode 8 – The Newlywed Murders – Marines Killing Marines

In 2008, Marine Sergeant Janek Pawel Pietrzak and his beautiful wife, Quiana Jenkins, were living the dream. They had recently purchased a beautiful standalone house in French Valley, California, recently gotten married (8.8.08), and Jan had accepted a $30k bonus in exchange for reenlisting in the Marines. Life was good, but not for long.

In October 2008, after not showing up for work, a police officer was called to the Pietrzak’s house for a welfare check. Upon arrival, the front door was open, and the contents of a purse were in the entrance. Upon entering the home, the police immediately saw that Jan and Quiana had been brutally murdered in their living room. Expensive items were missing from the home, and racial slurs had been spray painted on the walls. Was this double murder propelled by greed or was it racially motivated. Jan was Polish-American and Quiana was black. The police and prosecutors said it was motivated by greed, while Jan and Quiana’s mother still believe the murders were motivated by race.

The investigation would be conducted by civilian investigators and Naval Criminal Investigators (NCIS). Everyone thought the perpetrator or perpetrators were probably connected to Camp Pendleton, California, since Quiana’s card had been used after her murder at an ATM card less than a half mile from Camp Pendleton.

After interviewing everyone who had worked with Sergeant Pietrzak when he was assigned at Camp Pendleton, ONE name kept coming up over and over again – Lance Corporal Tyrone Miller. Dig in with Margot as she discusses the twists, turns, and disturbing turn of events that lead to two innocent people losing their lives.

*Click the images to go directly to the location where I found them.

Jan & Quiana on their wedding date!

Police Picture of Jan & Quiana’s bedroom as it was discovered
after their murder.

Police Picture of the 3 distinct footprints discovered at the
crime scene.

Police Picture of the Mechanix glove found at Tyrone
Miller’s home, which matches the glove seen on the
surveillance video seen at the ATM machine.

Lance Corporal Tyrone Miller

(Left) Jan & Quiana
(Right) The 4 Marines responsible for the Pietrzak’s murder

Cox, John, & Miller were tried together in 2013.
Cox had his own jury.
John & Miller shared a jury.
(Left) Kevin Cox (Life Sentence)
(Middle) Emrys John (Shooter-Death Sentence)
(Right) Tyrone Miller (Mastermind-Death Sentence)

Kesaun Sykes – tried alone in 2014 – Sentenced to Death

Kesaun Sykes loveaprisoner.com letter can be found below, but here is what it says:

“Smile, Why? Because you will make me smile! Greetings, my name is Sean, and I am a kleptomaniac; but I swear I am taking something for it! During this difficult time in my life it would help to have a few friends to support me mentally. Since real friends are hard to find, I am hoping you would be interested in being a ray of sunshine that all of us need to endure those dark times. As you brighten my days with your presence, I will do my best to always make you smile, and encourage you in every way as our friendship grows. Now I am a former US Marine who spent 3 years on active duty; I am a diamond eyed Taurus with a pocket full of jokes; after earning both a GED and HS diploma I’m looking to pursue a BA Degree; these accomplishments have allowed me to travel around the US but now journey in the world has been halted, unless you would be willing to open up your world to me. My hobbies include: drawing/painting, writing, reading, music, crafting, sports, and learning how to enjoy every breath of life. Now you don’t have to be shy just grab a piece of paper, and let’s share a few laughs with a smile or two. Despite what the state of California would have you believe, I don’t bite, I tickle! Looking forward to you being a ray of sunshine in my life. Semper, Sean.”

Sykes Letter on Loveaprisoner.com

(Sykes letter continued)

Episode 8 – Resources:

CBS News Special Transcript: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/execution-style-slayings-of-marine-sergeant-wife-involved-torture-greed-double-lives/
CBS News: NCIS – The cases they can’t forget; Unbreakable, 19 Jun 2019, https://www.cbsnews.com/video/ncis-the-cases-they-cant-forget-unbreakable/ (last accessed on 15 Dec 19).
Miller, J., Court of Appeal of the State of California Fourth Appellate District, Division Two, Sept 14, 2015, https://casetext.com/case/people-v-cox-381 (last accessed on 15 Dec 19).
Wikipedia Page, Murder of Jan Pawel & Quiana Jenkins Pietrzak, Sep 26, 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Jan_Pawel_and_Quiana_Jenkins_Pietrzak (last accessed on 15 Dec 19).
Dillon, Nancy & Siemaszko, Corky, Daily News, “Confession in torture, slay of Brooklyn-raised Marine sergeant and wife.” Nov 7, 2008, https://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/confession-torture-slay-brooklyn-raised-marine-sergeant-wife-article-1.334255 (last accessed on 15 Dec 19).
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0811/06/ijvm.01.html
Salazar, Carolyn, New York Post, “A Few ‘Bad’ Men.” Nov 7, 2008, https://nypost.com/2008/11/07/a-few-bad-men/ (last accessed on 15 Dec 19).
Dillon, Nancy & Siemaszko, Corky, Daily News, “Brutal Slay of Marine and his Wife Was Not Racially Motivated, Says Cop.” Nov 14, 2008, https://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/brutal-slay-marine-wife-not-racially-motivated-article-1.334654 (last accessed on 15 Dec 19).
Dillon, Nancy & Siemaszko, Corky, Daily News, “Grim Twist in Torture-Slay of Marine Sgt. Jan Pietrzak and Wife: Racial Epithets on Walls of Home.” Apr 3, 2009, https://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/grim-twist-torture-slay-marine-sgt-jan-pietrzak-wife-racial-epithets-walls-home-article-1.359457 (last accessed on 15 Dec 19).
Canada Free Press, “Anguished Marine Mom Turns to ‘President Obama’ for Help.” Nov 14, 2008, https://canadafreepress.com/article/anguished-marine-mom-turns-to-president-obama-for-help (last accessed on 15 Dec 19).
Siemaszko, Corky, Daily News, “White House Apologizes to Mom of Brooklyn Marine for Form-Letter Flap.” Jul 28, 2009, https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/white-house-apologizes-mom-brooklyn-marine-form-letter-flap-article-1.400621 (last accessed on 15 Dec 19).
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/new-york-daily-news/20090509/282668978307010
AP News, San Diego Union-Tribune, “Calif Murder Defendant Urinates in Courtroom.” Feb 1, 2011, https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-calif-murder-defendant-urinates-in-courtroom-2011feb01-story.html (last accessed on 15 Dec 19).
Avants, Maggie, Patch.com, “Statements of Marines Accused in Slayings to be Played in Court.” Apr 17, 2013, https://patch.com/california/temecula/statements-of-marines-accused-in-slayings-to-be-played-in-court (last accessed on 15 Dec 19).
Press-Enterprise, “French Valley: Jurors Split on Penalties for Ex-Marines.” Jun 20, 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BktBF2qTI7o (last accessed on 15 Dec 19).
Press-Enterprise, “CRIME BLOTTER: Death Sentence for Former Marine Who Murdered Couple.” Jul 19, 2003, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rxbeyDo7g0 (last accessed on 15 Dec 19).
Burge, Sarah, Press-Enterprise, “FRENCH VALLEY: Death Verdicts for Two Ex-Marines Who Murdered Couple.” Jun 20, 2013, https://www.pe.com/2013/06/20/french-valley-death-verdicts-for-two-ex-marines-who-murdered-couple/amp/ (last accessed on 15 Dec 19).
NPR.org, “Gov. Gavin Newsom Suspends Death Penalty in California.” Mar 12, 2019, https://www.npr.org/2019/03/12/702873258/gov-gavin-newsom-suspends-death-penalty-in-california (last accessed on 15 Dec 19).
Burge, Sarah, Press Enterprise, “FRENCH VALLEY: Mother of Murdered Marine Gives Tearful Testimony.” Jun 10, 2013, https://www.pe.com/2013/06/10/french-valley-mother-of-murdered-marine-gives-tearful-testimony/amp/ (last accessed on 15 Dec 19).
Love A Prisoner website: http://loveaprisoner.com/2017/09/kesaun-sykes/
Kesaun Sykes Letter: http://loveaprisoner.com/content/2017/09/Kesaun-Sykes_online-profile-1.jpg
Definition of Semper Fidelis: https://www.marines.com/who-we-are/our-values.html

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Episode 49 – FAMILY ANNIHILATOR: Edward Zakrzewski

Episode 44 – The HiFi Murders

Episode 26 – Possible Serial Killer – Ward Weaver Jr.

Episode 18-The Texas Cadet Killers

Episode 17-Fort Stewart Militia – Private Aguigui & The Rise of the FEAR Four – Soldiers Killing Soldiers

Episode 16-The Air Force Promotion Test Cheating Murder

Episode 13 – Dwight J. Loving – Commutation

Episode 9-MURDER x2: A Father’s Revenge Killing (Death Penalty)

Episode 8-MURDER (x’s 2): The Murder of Janek Pietrzak & Quiana Jenkins-Pietrzak

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