Episodes

Laura continues her interview with former NBC investigative producer and NewsNation investigative correspondent, Rich McHugh. Together Laura and Rich unravel coercive control and the lack of laws to protect women in South Carolina and the details that trouble Rich about the day Mica died - and why he remains unconvinced Mica ended her life. For Rich, Laura and Crime Analyst, the focus remains where it belongs: Mica Francis, the truth about what she experienced, accountability and justice. Justi...

For decades, the women murdered and attacked by Peter Sutcliffe (known as PS in this series) were overshadowed by the man who targeted them. In this remastered Crime Analyst series, Laura Richards puts the women back at the centre of the story. Laura deconstructs the pattern of offending, escalating risk and critical opportunities that were missed, including additional attacks she believes are linked to PS and how harmful assumptions about his victims distorted the investigation. The failures ...

Mica Francis died trying to leave John Paul Miller. She documented what was happening to her, called the Police at least 14 times, retained an attorney and filed for divorce. Less than a day after Mica’s death, John-Paul Miller stood before his congregation and announced her death, while simultaneously shaping a narrative about Mica and her mental health. Serious alarm bells went off for both Laura and award-winning investigative journalist and NewsNation correspondent, Rich McHugh. Former NBC ...

In this remastered episode to conclude the series, Laura, Nichole and Tara deconstruct Netflix’s American Murder: Gabby Petito, including new information former boyfriend Jackson shared, the last messages sent from Gabby’s phone and the early warning signs of coercive control. Laura honours Gabby and her amazing mum’s Nichole and Tara in this special episode which aired on International Women’s Day. If you are experiencing abuse The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers free, confidential ...

Mica Francis did everything right: she documented what was happening, reported to police and repeatedly asked for help. But what happens when the behaviours creating fear, entrapment and risk are not adequately recognised by the law? In Laura’s interview with Mica’s attorney, Regina Ward, the focus turns to the systemic failures that left Mica without the protection she needed - and the fight to change law in South Carolina in Mica’s name. Laura and Regina examine why repeated attempts to intr...

Mica Francis’ case is now receiving widespread attention following the Netflix documentary The Death of the Pastor’s Wife. Laura analysed Mica’s case as it unfolded, documenting the pattern of coercive control, stalking and post-separation abuse Mica reported experiencing before her death. 30-year-old Mica Francis (Miller) was found dead from a gunshot wound at Lumber River State Park in Robeson County, North Carolina, on April 27, 2024, two days after serving her husband, John Paul Miller, wit...

Mica Francis was taking steps to reclaim her life and freedom. Then, on April 27 2024, she was found dead at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina. Since Mica’s death, Laura has extensively analysed the pattern of coercive control, stalking and post-separation abuse Mica reported experiencing, as well as the circumstances leading up to her death. Mica’s story is the focus of the Netflix documentary The Death of The Pastor’s Wife. Attorney Regina Ward was Mica’s divorce lawyer, and she app...

Mica Francis’ case is now being widely talked about due to the Netflix documentary, The Death of The Pastors Wife. Laura analysed Mica’s case as it unfolded. In this episode Laura takes a more in-depth look at the available evidence of what life was like for Mica prior to her death using the lens and framework of coercive control and stalking. Importantly, Mica died trying to leave John Paul Miller. That is significant because leaving with finality the relationship is over is the most dangerous...

As the violence escalated, Grace finally called 911. She describes the police officer who recognised something Grace could not yet fully see herself. She reveals why and how he identified how dangerous the abuser was. Grace describes the successful strategy she used to leave. Laura examines why victims may continue to protect, defend or return to the abuser - and why these behaviours need to be understood within the wider pattern of coercive control by EVERYONE. Grace shares how her ex-partner...

Mica Francis’ case is now being widely talked about due to the Netflix documentary, The Death of The Pastors Wife. Laura talked about Mica and all the red flags she saw in 2024. Mica died trying to leave John Paul Miller – a man who calls himself a Pastor. In this remastered series you will learn much more about what he did to Mica as well as what was left out of the documentary. Mica was failed when she was alive. She’s been failed in death - up until now. Mica’s case raises urgent questions ...

Why doesn't she just leave? It's a question survivors of domestic abuse hear again and again. But it places the focus in entirely the wrong place. Laura interviews Grace Stuart, survivor and host of Why She Stayed podcast, to examine how coercive control can develop gradually - and why it can be so difficult to recognise when you're living inside it. Grace was just 20 when she met her former partner, who was 14 years older. What initially felt intense and intoxicating became a complex spider'...

In this remastered episode which drops on the five year anniversary of Gabby's murder , Laura continues to interview Nichole Schmidt, Gabby’s mum. Laura and Nichole discuss the significance of 24 days Gabby was missing for, why men need to lead the charge stopping male violence to women, lawsuits, and why new coercive control laws and training are urgently needed. In honour of Gabby, listen to the conversation and share the episodes with family and friends. It might just save a life. If you w...

You can earn your own money, pay the bills and have access to the joint account - and still be economically abused. Economic abuse is about far more than stopping someone from accessing money. It can involve restriction, exploitation and sabotage - and it can be so deeply woven into coercive control that victims may not recognise what is happening to them. Laura is joined by Dr Nicola Sharp-Jeffs OBE, CF internationally recognised expert on economic abuse, author and founder of Surviving Econo...

In this remastered episode, which was recorded on the three-year anniversary of 22-year-old Gabby Petito’s murder, Laura interviews Nichole Schmidt, Gabby’s mother. Nichole shares what Gabby was like growing up as well as details about Brian and Gabby’s relationship and what she now knows to be the red flags. Gabby was reported missing on September 11 2021 after her 23-year-old fiancé, Brian Laundrie, returned from a cross-country road trip without her on September 1 2021. Instead of speaking ...

Imagine waiting 530 days waiting for the trial of the man who groomed, controlled, strangled and assaulted you only to walk into court on day one and be told there would be no trial. Behind closed doors a plea deal was negotiated dramatically altering the outcome of the case, resulting in Robert Hastings walking free – no prison time. Strangulation and coercive control are high risk behaviours correlating significantly with serious harm and femicide – yet far too often abusers are rarely charge...

In this remastered episode, In this special episode, Laura discusses the May 24 2023, fascinating development in the lawsuit Nichole Schmidt and Joseph Petito filed against Roberta and Christopher Laundrie, Judge Danielle Brewer ordered Roberta and Christopher Laundrie to share the ‘Burn After Reading’ letter Roberta Laundrie wrote to Brian Laundrie with Gabby Petito’s parents. Laura shares her analysis of the letter and her thoughts about Roberta Laundrie breaking her silence about the case by...

Paris Shears never imagined that the man she fell in love with would groom, physically harm and control her. What began as a seemingly loving relationship became a pattern of coercive control, intimidation and violence that left her fearing for her life. When Paris's former partner was charged with offences including intentional strangulation and assault, he initially pleaded not guilty. After more than a year with the trial looming over her head, Paris went to court for the first day of the tr...

In this remastered episode, In this special episode, which was originally released on what would have been Gabby’s 24th Birthday, Laura highlights the latest developments in Gabby’s case regarding the two ongoing lawsuits Gabby’s family have filed against Moab City Police and Brian’s parents, Roberta and Christopher Laundrie. Laura discusses three key updates including: Judge Danielle Brewer’s decision to add the Laundrie’s former lawyer, Steve Bertolino, as a defendant to the lawsuit filed by ...

In April 2024 25-year-old Kennedi Westcarr-Sabaroche was a social media marketer and mother from East London who was found murdered in her car. She had been strangled and stabbed. Days before her death, Kennedi told a friend she was “on a break” from her relationship with Gogoa Lois Tape. But Tape lured her to meet him under false pretences and strangled her in the driver’s seat of her own car—for eight minutes. Tape was charged with murder, but prosecutors ultimately accepted a guilty ple...

In this remastered episode, Laura highlights key events, witnesses and evidence in the timeline and sequence of events, revisiting Gabby and Brian’s Instagram and what friends have said about Gabby and Brian’s relationship. Laura also breaks down the 9-minute video footage that was released on October 19 2022 of Gabby and Brian’s trip to Whole Foods on August 27 2021 and explains why it is so significant. Laura highlights the lessons that must be learned from Gabby’s case and what needs to happ...

Investigative journalist Mandy Matney is best known for doggedly pursuing and unraveling Alex Murdaugh's financial crimes against his 100-year-old family law firm and its clients in the low country of South Carolina. Mandy’s coverage of and in-depth investigation into Murdaugh’s legal dynasty family began in 2019, when a boat crash involving 19-year-old Paul Murdaugh resulted in the death of 19 -year-old Mallory Beach. Mandy's relentless reporting continued through 2021 with the murders of Maggi...

In this remastered episode, Laura concludes her analysis of the 99-page Moab City Police Investigative Review by detailing and breaking down Captain Ratcliffe’s conclusion and recommendations. Laura shares her professional thoughts about why the conclusion makes little sense and why the recommendations will not create the change that’s urgently required to save the next Gabby’s life. Trigger warning: Listener discretion is advised. This episode may be upsetting and/or triggering and it will be...

In this episode, Laura interviews pioneering human rights lawyer and CEO of the Centre for Women's Justice, Harriet Wistrich, whose groundbreaking work has helped transform the way the justice system responds to male violence against women and girls. Together, Laura and Harriet analyse landmark cases including John Worboys and Sally Challen, the campaign to criminalise coercive control, and the legal mechanisms used to keep dangerous offenders behind bars. Harriet also shares the realities of ...

In this remastered episode, Laura continues to analyze the police report filed by Officer Pratt and Officer Robbins and the 99-page Moab City Police Investigative Review of the Police Stop was published on 12th January 2022. Laura reveals that another witness came forward and stated Brian hit Gabby with a closed fist, as well as a number of bizarre revelations made by Officer Pratt on interview with Captain Ratcliffe. Laura also takes a deeper dive into the DV 101 Manual for Police and Prosecut...