Hidden True Crime

A surprise wedding photo, a fierce daughter’s defense, and a question that still makes people angry: how do you forgive the parent who didn’t protect you? After Kevin Franke quietly remarried—and Shari publicly celebrated him as “a wonderful man,” warning critics to back off—this episode revisits the Ruby Franke/Jodi Hildebrandt case through the uncomfortable aftermath, when the headlines fade and a family has to decide what healing actually looks like. Using Shari’s memoir The House of My Mother, we trace the long, quiet power imbalance that shaped Kevin’s role, how Jodi’s influence isolated and dismantled him, and why Shari’s eventual forgiveness doesn’t erase the harm—but reveals what may have happened behind closed doors: amends, rebuilding, and a new family dynamic the public can’t fully see. BEAM DREAM: Celebrate Sleep in 2026! At https://shopbeam.com/TRUECRIME Watch Kevin’s interview w/ Dr Julie Hanks: https://shorturl.at/pVZJH Read Shari’s Book: https://shorturl.at/oiU10 About Hidden True Crime What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling. Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Friday’s arraignment revealed just how severe prosecutors believe this case is: Ashlee Buzzard is now formally charged with murdering her 9-year-old daughter, Melodee—along with enhancements alleging “exceptional cruelty,” planning, and the chilling accusation of “lying in wait.” In this episode, we break down what those legal terms actually mean, walk through the updated timeline—from the wig-wearing road trip across multiple states to the discovery of Melodee’s remains in remote Utah—and explain the forensic links that investigators say tied the scene back to the Buzzard home. We also cover what happened inside the courtroom, why prosecutors say they’re seeking life without parole (not the death penalty), the temporary gag order restricting the sheriff’s public comments, and the raw, heartbreaking words from Melodee’s grandmother as the family faces the unthinkable. About Hidden True Crime What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling. Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A preacher’s wife found dead in a North Carolina swamp was quickly ruled a suicide—but the story never sat right. As new federal charges are unsealed, disturbing allegations of cyberstalking, coercive control, tracking devices, and intimidation are forcing fresh scrutiny of Mica Miller’s final months and her marriage to Pastor John Paul Miller. With an FBI indictment now in play, civil lawsuits surfacing, and long-ignored warnings coming into focus, this case is shifting from quiet tragedy to a reckoning many believed would never come. About Hidden True Crime What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling. Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. John is here to weigh in on the latest developments on the Melodee Buzzard case... What led Ashlee to take Melodee's life? Why do mothers kill? Sponsors: Get 50% off LifeMD’s Weight Management Program plus free shipping during their Holiday and New Year's Sale—get started at https://lifemd.com/HIDDEN. About Hidden True Crime What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling. Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On December 23, 2025, we learned that Melodee Buzzard had been found deceased. This episode was recorded live and includes parts of the press conference and the heartbreaking details we learned regarding the murder of Melodee Buzzard. About Hidden True Crime What started as a simple conversation at their dinner table became a captivating podcast. Join the dynamic duo of Dr. John Matthias, a criminal psychologist, and Lauren Matthias, an investigative journalist, as they delve into the psychological facets of unthinkable crimes every week. Their unique perspectives and in-depth analysis offer a fresh take on true crime storytelling. Thank you for your support through sponsorships, subscribing, listening, and becoming a Patreon member at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/HiddenTrueCrime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices