My Nonverbal Son Was Being Abused and Couldn't Tell Me | Jessica Vestal

A Special Update for Our Listeners

Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words returns in early August with brand-new episodes and incredible guests. In the meantime, please make sure you're following the podcast, leave a five-star review if you've enjoyed the show, and share it with someone who loves true crime. You can also support our mission by signing the petition to help end plea deals for child predators. You can find the petition at Change.org/EndPleaDeals If you're new here, I highly recommend starting with Episode 1 featuring Elizabeth Smart. Thank you for being part of this community. See you in August! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

My Nonverbal Son Was Being Abused and Couldn't Tell Me | Jessica Vestal

When Jessica Vestal's son Dax started coming home with bruises and injuries, she knew something wasn't right. The problem was that Dax is nonverbal. He couldn't tell her what was happening. What Jessica eventually uncovered led to criminal charges, national attention, and difficult questions about how vulnerable children are protected when they can't speak for themselves. In this episode of Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, Jessica shares Dax's story, the warning signs she saw, the fight for answers, and what happened after the truth finally came to light. Follow Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, for more conversations with the people at the center of the stories making headlines. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

He Killed His Abuser and Went to Prison | David Garlock

At 17 years old, David Garlock and his brother killed the man they say subjected them to years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. The crime led to murder convictions and decades-long prison sentences. David ultimately spent more than 13 years behind bars before being released on parole. Today, he is a criminal justice reform advocate, speaker, and survivor who openly discusses what he calls the "trauma-to-prison pipeline"—the connection between childhood trauma, violence, incarceration, and rehabilitation. His story has drawn comparisons to the Menendez brothers, raising many of the same questions that continue to divide the public: Can someone be both a victim and an offender? How should courts evaluate years of abuse when a victim eventually becomes a perpetrator? What does accountability look like after taking a life? And can redemption exist after prison? In this episode of Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, David walks through the abuse he says he endured, the events that led to the killing, his years inside prison, and how he rebuilt his life after release. Whether you see his story as one of justice, tragedy, survival, or all three, it challenges many of the assumptions people hold about crime, punishment, and trauma. Listen now and decide for yourself. 🎙️ Subscribe to Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words on your favorite podcast platform. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

The Missing Person Case That Makes No Sense: Bryan Vladek Hasel

On November 6, 2021, 22-year-old Vladek Hasel walked away from a coffee shop near the University of Central Florida and seemingly vanished. More than four years later, his family is still searching for answers. In this episode, I sit down with Vladek's sister, Bethany Hasel, to discuss the day her brother disappeared, the investigation that followed, the theories surrounding his case, and why she refuses to give up hope. This is not just the story of a missing person. It's the story of a family living through every unanswered question imaginable. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Vladek Hasel, please contact law enforcement immediately. Make sure to follow and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Follow Find Vladek Hasel on IG, FB and TikTok #VladekHasel #MissingPerson #TrueCrime #UnsolvedMystery #Missing #BryanHasel #ColdCase #Justice #CrimePodcast #JustInTheNickOfCrime See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Mark Geragos on Diddy, the Menendez Brothers & Defending America's Most Controversial Clients

Mark Geragos has spent more than three decades at the center of some of the most high-profile and controversial legal battles in America. From Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, Winona Ryder, and Scott Peterson to Erik and Lyle Menendez, Geragos has represented clients whose names dominated headlines around the world. Most recently, he served as an advisor to Sean "Diddy" Combs' defense team during one of the most closely watched federal trials in recent memory. In this episode of Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, Justin sits down with one of America's most recognizable defense attorneys for a candid conversation about the justice system, celebrity defendants, media narratives, public perception, wrongful convictions, the Menendez brothers' fight for freedom, and the challenges of defending clients in the age of social media. Whether you agree with him or not, Mark Geragos has had a front-row seat to some of the biggest legal stories of our generation. Topics include: * Sean "Diddy" Combs * Erik & Lyle Menendez * Michael Jackson * Scott Peterson * Celebrity trials * Media influence on juries * The court of public opinion * High-profile criminal defense * America's justice system 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with the people closest to the stories that captivated the world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].