The brutal murder of Liese Dodd—a vibrant 22-year-old who was eight months pregnant—serves as a haunting reminder of how quickly domestic violence can escalate to unimaginable tragedy. Pearl and Holly navigate this heartbreaking case with compassion and purpose, revealing the warning signs that were visible yet ultimately unheeded.
Through their thoughtful discussion, we learn about Liese's life—her love for animals, her career aspirations in the medical field, and her excitement about becoming a mother to a baby girl she affectionately called "Baby Bean." Working and moving into her own apartment, Liese appeared to be creating a promising future despite her troubled relationship with Deundrea Holloway.
What makes this case particularly devastating is how many people recognized the danger. Liese's boss had witnessed Deundrea's violence firsthand. His own family acknowledged his mental health struggles and violent tendencies. Neighbors heard the fatal attack but, having grown accustomed to their arguments, didn't call police. The hosts explore these missed opportunities for intervention with nuance, examining both individual choices and systemic failures in mental health and domestic violence response.
The podcast doesn't shy away from the gruesome details of the crime—the decapitation, the disposal of evidence, Deudrea's bizarre behavior afterward—but treats these elements with appropriate gravity rather than sensationalism. Pearl and Holly connect the case to broader issues, including the challenges victims face when leaving abusive relationships and the inadequacies of our mental health system.
Pearl shares personal experiences with domestic violence situations, adding depth and urgency to the message. The host's emotional investment in the topic transforms what could be simply a true crime story into a powerful call to action against domestic violence.
Have you witnessed warning signs of abuse in someone you know? The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) provides confidential support and resources, including text options for those who cannot safely make phone calls. Remember—reaching out could save a life.
Source Material:
Neumann, Sean, January 22, 2025, Pregnant woman set to give birth beheaded weeks before due date, Ex sentenced for murder, https://people.com/suburban-st-louis-man-sentenced-60-years-killing-decapitating-woman-8-months-pregnant-8778414
Fong, Jonathan, January 12, 2025, After years of legal proceedings, Alton man gets prison time for gruesome murder of pregnant woman, https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/crime/alton-man-sentenced-murder-pregnant-ex-girlfriend/63-d47096b9-96a5-461e-85a2-4fc20ecfc761
WRSP/WICS staff, June 15, 2022, Pregnant Illinois woman 'savagely' murdered by ex-boyfriend, police say, https://cbsaustin.com/news/nation-world/pregnant-illinois-woman-savagely-murdered-by-ex-boyfriend-police-say-06-15-2022
Vidal, Gabriella, June 14, 2022, 'She was just a bright light':Family speaks after gruesome death of expectant Alton mother, https://www.firstalert4.com/2022/06/14/she-was-just-bright-light-family-speaks-after-gruesome-death-expecting-alton-mother/
Cousins, Scott, May 26, 2023, Court decision on f
