logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2022
1 h

The Dirty Truth

Reach Freaks
About this episode

Most of us are at least peripherally familiar with the story of John Meehan, a.k.a the infamous “Dirty John,”  the con-artist who terrorized women across the United States. But when the news broke of what happened to John during his final moments, the infamy surrounding his abusive escapades strangely led to several international TV deals, docuseries, and was even the basis for some of the most successful investigative true-crime podcasts ever created. Fortunes were made as a result of his long history of domestic violence and abuse, but the victims of the traumatic events were of the few who never saw a substantial pay day. In this episode we interview Terra Newell - the woman who finally put an end to the despicable “Dirty John.” She provides an eye opening look inside the strangest kind of limelight, discusses ethics and monetization in true crime, and explains what life’s really like after being involved in a homicide that captivated the world.  

Written by Michael Dunphy Jr., Executive Produced by Michael Ojibway. 

Special Thanks to Terra Newell.

 

Visit Invisible Choir on the web: 

 

Written/Audio Sources: 

 

Music & Sound Effect Sources

  • Opening Track: “Contact” by Panda Music
  • Closing Track: “Zilch” by Jobii

Music & Sound Effect Sources

All music and sound effects used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound ® and SoundStripe ®. Individual sources are available via request at info@invisiblechoir.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Aug 17
Head Games
Extreme acts of violence rarely happen without warning. There’s often a long, troubling pattern leading up to them. When intervention fails, the consequences can be devastating. Such was the case for 25-year-old Joel Arciniega-Saenz, whose story leaves us asking what might have h ... Show More
1h 5m
Aug 3
Casual Encounter
In October 2021, Tim Ivy and his girlfriend met a woman online to explore a consensual intimate encounter. But what began as flirtation quickly unraveled into a 24-hour nightmare. By the end, two people were dead, one was hospitalized, and the sole survivor had a chilling story t ... Show More
54m 16s
Jul 20
Forgive, Never Forget
Maine’s reputation for peace was shattered when a woman discovered a gruesome crime scene just minutes before a random interstate shooting nearby. At the center of both was Joseph Eaton, a recently released convict who turned on the only people left in his corner… We would like t ... Show More
1h 12m
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2022
The IRL Dirty John (w/ Terra Newell)
Terra Newell’s life forever changed on August 20th, 2016. That was the day she heroically defended herself from her mother’s con-man ex-husband by remembering things she saw on ‘The Walking Dead’.  The story would infamously become known as ‘Dirty John’. Six years later, Terra jo ... Show More
34m 6s
Sep 2023
Harsh Reality
On this episode of They Walk Among America… On the evening of July 24th, 2000, Sarasota police officers were dispatched to a house on Grand Cayman Street following a 911 call from a local resident who said a young man had told him he believed his aunt had been killed. After forci ... Show More
50m 20s
Oct 2017
Bonus Episode - Profiling Dirty John
The RCP team (Jim Clemente, Laura Richards and Lisa Zambetti) welcome Christopher Goffard, the Los Angeles Times writer, to the show to discuss his new hit podcast Dirty John. This episode covers the first three episodes of the program which is a six part podcast. Debra Newell an ... Show More
41m 26s
May 2022
The Demon Within
Today’s podcast features two separate, unique, stories that are both themed around the same thing, people who suddenly just snapped. The first story you will hear is called, “The Horrifying True Story of Katy Perry’s Ex-Boyfriend." Her ex was a famous actor, and what he did will ... Show More
33m 15s
Nov 2023
Episode 323 - The Murder of Marvin Gaye ft. Disgraceland
The 1984 murder of one of Motown’s biggest stars – at the hands of his abusive, alcoholic, cross-dressing Pentecostal-preacher father – stunned the industry. But despite the media frenzy, almost no justice was served…In this episode we look at Gaye’s life story, drawing a line fr ... Show More
1h 7m