LOVE MURDER

On July 15, 1992, 23-year-old Rachel Nickell was murdered on Wimbledon Common in broad daylight, with her two-year-old son as the only witness. With no DNA at the scene, police fixated on the wrong man, building an infamous honey trap operation around a profiler's hunch while the real killer stayed free. It took sixteen years and a DNA breakthrough to finally get justice. This week, Andie covers one of the most notorious investigations in British history.
Sources:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7783796.stm
https://policeprofessional.com/news/mps-apology-for-‘errors’-in-rachel-nickell-murder-case/
https://policeprofessional.com/news/‘gross-errors-of-judgement’/
https://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/crime-files/rachel-nickell-case
https://www.aetv.com/articles/rachel-nickell-murder-1992
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/rachel-nickell-murder-case-justice-delayed-1800876
https://www.tvguide.co.uk/articles/colin-stagg-life-after-rachel-nickell-honeytrap-scandal/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Rachel_Nickell
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Napper
https://time.com/article/2026/06/01/rachel-nickell-true-story-the-witness-netflix/
This Week’s Episode Brought To You By:
Shopify - $1 per month trial - http://shopify.com/lovemurder
Hers - Personalized, affordable plans for weight loss, hair, and anxiety - forhers.com/LOVEMURDER
IndaCloud - If you’re 21 or older, get 25% OFF your first order + free shipping with code lovemurder at https://inda.shop/lovemurder
Quince - Elevated essentials that feel effortless. Free shipping and 365-day returns at http://quince.com/lovemurder
Jones Road Beauty - Use code Love at jonesroadbeauty.com to get a free full sized Mascara with your first purchase!
Firstleaf - 50% off your first wine box plus free shipping for an entire year -- tryfirstleaf.com/lovemurder
Find LOVE MURDER online:
Website: lovemurder.love
Instagram: @lovemurderpod
Twitter: @lovemurderpod
Facebook: LoveMrdrPod
TikTok: @LoveMurderPod
Patreon: /LoveMurderPod
Credits: Love Murder is hosted by Jessie Pray and Andie Cassette, researched by Sarah Lynn Robinson and researched and written by Jessie Pray, produced by Nathaniel Whittemore and edited by Kyle Barbour-Hoffman
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In August 2006, Bernadette Vander Meer fell 1,200 feet from the summit of Angels Landing in Zion National Park on what was supposed to be her tenth anniversary trip. Authorities called it an accident and closed the case. Twenty years later — after a tip from a former youth group member, a phone call from a pastor who never believed it, and an affidavit laying out an affair, a breakup two days before the trip, and a half-million-dollar insurance payout — her husband was arrested for her murder. Three days later, he was dead. Jessie traces how the case broke open in the news this week.
Sources:
https://people.com/cheating-pastor-who-killed-wife-in-zion-national-park-invited-mistress-on-trip-12012749
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/david-vander-meer-former-vegas-youth-pastor-charged-wifes-murder-dies-rcna351762
https://www.ksl.com/article/51536910/husband-charged-in-2006-death-of-wife-in-angels-landing-fall
https://www.ktnv.com/news/crime/20-years-later-what-led-investigators-to-charge-an-ex-las-vegas-youth-pastor-with-murder-in-his-wifes-death
https://abcnews.com/US/former-youth-pastor-dies-day-set-court-2006/story?id=134216882
Find LOVE MURDER online:
Website: lovemurder.love
Instagram: @lovemurderpod
Twitter: @lovemurderpod
Facebook: LoveMrdrPod
TikTok: @LoveMurderPod
Patreon: /LoveMurderPod
Credits: Love Murder is hosted by Jessie Pray and Andie Cassette, researched by Sarah Lynn Robinson and researched and written by Jessie Pray, produced by Nathaniel Whittemore and edited by Kyle Barbour-Hoffman
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A former football superstar Steve McNair seemed to have it all: fame, fortune, family and a lasting legacy. But a secret affair was quietly unraveling, and before the 4th of July holiday weekend was over, two people would be left dead.
Sources:
1. Hill, Vincent. Incomplete Pass. 2026.
2. “Kazemi Requested Money from McNair - ESPN.” ESPN.Com, ESPN, 20 Oct. 2009, https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4578675.
3. “McNair’s Other Lover: Leah Ignagni.” CBS News | Breaking News, Top Stories & Today’s Latest Headlines, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2009, https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/mcnairs-other-lover-leah-ignagni/2/.
4. “The Strange Story of the Gun That Murdered McNair - CBS News.” CBS News | Breaking News, Top Stories & Today’s Latest Headlines, https://www.facebook.com/CBSNews/, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-strange-story-of-the-gun-that-murdered-mcnair/. Accessed 13 June 2026.
5. Untold: The Murder of Air McNair. 2024.
6. “Widow of Murdered NFL Player Gets $2.5 Million – The Mississippi Link.” The Mississippi Link – Keepers Of The Knowledge For People Who Speak The Truth Since 1993, https://themississippilink.com/news/widow-of-murdered-nfl-player-gets-2-5-million/. Accessed 15 June 2026.
7. Find A Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39067686/steve-mcnair. Accessed 15 June 2026.
8. People, https://people.com/where-are-steve-mcnairs-sons-now-8702031. Accessed 15 June 2026.
9. Find A Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39119194/sahel-kazemi. Accessed 15 June 2026.
10. People, https://people.com/who-killed-steve-mcnair-death-8693843. Accessed 13 June 2026.
This Week’s Episode Brought To You By:
Mint Mobile – Unlimited premium wireless for $15/month. Switch today at mintmoble.com/lovemurder
Shopify - $1 per month trial - http://shopify.com/lovemurder
BetterHelp - Convenient and affordable online therapy and counseling - https://betterhelp.com/lovemurder for 10% off your first month
Find LOVE MURDER online:
Website: lovemurder.love
Instagram: @lovemurderpod
Twitter: @lovemurderpod
Facebook: LoveMrdrPod
TikTok: @LoveMurderPod
Patreon: /LoveMurderPod
Credits: Love Murder is hosted by Jessie Pray and Andie Cassette, researched by Sarah Lynn Robinson and researched and written by Jessie Pray, produced by Nathaniel Whittemore and edited by Kyle Barbour-Hoffman
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When a popular, openly gay University of Missouri student is murdered on campus, police interview his friends and lovers as well as looking at the murder as a possible hate crime. The entire time the detectives are digging into Jesse’s personal life, the actual killer is hiding in plain sight, much closer to the investigation than anyone expected.
Sources:
Davidson, Linda. The Cop With A Secret. 2026.
Arnold, Chelsea. “Steven Rios Seeks New Trial for 2004 Murder of MU Student | Local | Columbiamissourian.Com.” Columbia Missourian, https://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaMissourian/, 9 Apr. 2011, https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/steven-rios-seeks-new-trial-for-2004-murder-of-mu-student/article_1cea6d2d-1eec-5f83-9883-ab198ab52d81.html.
Dateline NBC. 1992.
Dowling, Paul. Forensic Files. 1996.
“22-MO v. Rios: Leah Wooden & Zev Feintuch | Court TV Video.” Court TV, https://www.facebook.com/courttv, https://www.courttv.com/title/22-mo-v-rios-leah-wooden-zev-feintuch/. Accessed 1 June 2026.
“DNA Evidence | Local | Columbiamissourian.Com.” Columbia Missourian, https://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaMissourian/, 21 July 2008, https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/dna-evidence/article_885b03b7-aa42-5a23-974b-17b03f1ca91a.html.
Dungey, Michaela Marshall. “Mother of Jesse Valencia Wants Dead Son’s Belongings Returned | Local | Columbiamissourian.Com.” Columbia Missourian, https://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaMissourian/, 2 July 2015, https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/mother-of-jesse-valencia-wants-dead-sons-belongings-returned/article_1d283d6a-20d4-11e5-8c19-57f72dce51f7.html.
McCarthy, Danielle. “SPECIAL REPORT Part Two: Ex-Wife, Former In Laws Stand by Convicted Murderer | News | Komu.Com.” KOMU 8, https://www.facebook.com/komu8, 15 Feb. 2013, https://www.komu.com/news/special-report-part-two-ex-wife-former-in-laws-stand-by-convicted-murderer/article_9e622a7e-62a0-58cb-b411-67522475499d.html.
McCarthy, Danny Spewak and Danielle. “SPECIAL REPORT: Steven Rios Former Family Members Break Silence | News | Komu.Com.” KOMU 8, https://www.facebook.com/komu8, 14 Feb. 2013, https://www.komu.com/news/special-report-steven-rios-former-family-members-break-silence/article_703f2750-f63f-5a03-9ba0-a9b3bd0e223d.html.
Sederstrom, Jill. “Missouri Cop Steven Rios Killed Jesse Valencia After Affair.” Oxygen, Oxygen, 25 July 2024, https://www.oxygen.com/dateline-secrets-uncovered/crime-news/missouri-cop-steven-rios-killed-jesse-valencia-after-affair.
Whitehurst, Tram. “Clinch Tells Jury Why He Killed Former Brother-in-Law | News | Columbiamissourian.Com.” Columbia Missourian, https://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaMissourian/, 21 Oct. 2009, https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/clinch-tells-jury-why-he-killed-former-brother-in-law/article_88d3bdd5-255d-51f4-9539-638688e011c1.html.
“Clinch Tells Jury Why He Killed Former Brother-in-Law | News | Columbiamissourian.Com.” Columbia Missourian, https://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaMissourian/, 21 Oct. 2009, https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/clinch-tells-jury-why-he-killed-former-brother-in-law/article_88d3bdd5-255d-51f4-9539-638688e011c1.html.
Find A Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73822382/jesse_james_wade-valencia. Accessed 1 June 2026.
Columbia Missourian, 7 June 2004.
Columbia Daily Tribune, https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/news/crime/2011/03/17/former-in-laws-stand-by/21458357007/. Accessed 1 June 2026.

This Week’s Episode Brought To You By:
Progressive Insurance - Discover better rates at https://www.progressive.com/
HomeServe – Home repair protection plans starting at $4.99/month. Learn more at homeserve.com
Firstleaf - 50% off your first wine box plus free shipping for an entire year -- tryfirstleaf.com/lovemurder
Mint Mobile – Unlimited premium wireless for $15/month. Switch today at mintmobile.com/lovemurder
EarnIn - Make any day payday. Use code LOVEMURDER when you sign up. https://app.earnin.com/
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rex Heuermann, the Gilgo Beach serial killer, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murders of seven women, after admitting to killing eight over a 17-year span. This week, Jessie and Andie discuss the sentencing hearing, the families’ devastating victim impact statements, and the long-delayed reckoning for the women Heuermann murdered.
Current Affairs is Love Murder’s shorter show about the cases of love gone fatally wrong that are in the news right now.
Sources:
https://www.suffolkcountyda.org/gilgo-serial-killer-sentenced-to-three-consecutive-life-sentences-plus-100-years-for-murdering-eight-women/
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/17/gilgo-beach-killer-rex-heuermann-sentencing
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/rex-heuermann-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-for-new-yorks-gilgo-beach-serial-killings
https://abc7ny.com/post/rex-heuermann-sentenced-new-yorks-gilgo-beach-serial-killings/19314233/
https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/long-island-architect-pleads-guilty-gilgo-beach-serial-killings-2026-04-08/
Find LOVE MURDER online:
Website: lovemurder.love
Instagram: @lovemurderpod
Twitter: @lovemurderpod
Facebook: LoveMrdrPod
TikTok: @LoveMurderPod
Patreon: /LoveMurderPod
Credits: Love Murder is hosted by Jessie Pray and Andie Cassette, researched by Sarah Lynn Robinson and researched and written by Jessie Pray, produced by Nathaniel Whittemore and edited by Kyle Barbour-Hoffman
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.