Direct Appeal
In August 2008, Sarah Widmer, a healthy 24 year-old woman is found dead in her bathtub, just four months after marrying Ryan Widmer… the only person at home with Sarah that night. Suspicion quickly fell on Ryan, leading to his arrest and conviction for Sarah’s murder. But could this have been a tragic accident? Ryan has adamantly maintained his innocence for the last 16 years, but now, two seasoned criminologists examine the very controversial conviction of Ryan Widmer, for the murder of his wife Sarah. Is Ryan a murder or did something else happen in that bathroom? Join us to find out.
Episodes
May 3, 2019 • 1 min
For the last 13 years, Melanie McGuire has been serving a life sentence for the murder and dismemberment of her husband, whose body was found in three suitcases in the Chesapeake Bay.
With Melanie’s full cooperation, two Criminologists (Dr. Meghan Sacks, and Dr. Amy Shlosberg) will examine the evidence, consult independent experts and explore over 50 hours of exclusive interviews with Melanie (from prison), her family, her friends...
Mark as Played
May 7, 2019 • 35 mins
01: Three suitcases, containing human remains, surfaced in Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay in May 2004. Police identified the man in the suitcases as 39-year-old William McGuire, from Woodbridge New Jersey, and they quickly focused their attention on Bill’s wife, Melanie McGuire, who did not report him missing. Convicted three years later of murdering and dismembering her husband, Melanie McGuire has been in prison since then but did the...
Mark as Played
May 7, 2019 • 52 mins
02: Bill and Melanie each end their other relationships and begin a life together. However, this may not be storybook ending they had hoped for. Their marriage is a volatile relationship, filled with infidelity, lies and acts that would results in criminal convictions for both. Melanie describes the ups and downs, and details the fight where she said she should have left.
Credits:
Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg.
Pro...
Mark as Played
May 7, 2019 • 38 mins
03: Bill and Melanie manage to piece together their relationship after dealing with tumultuous times. They forge ahead with their dreams of owning a home in the suburbs of New Jersey even though their relationship is not entirely a happy one. They find a home and close on it April 28th, 2004, but Bill McGuire is never seen again after the closing. Was this a happy occasion for the couple or part of Melanie’s plan to kill her husban...
Mark as Played
May 17, 2019 • 51 mins
04: Melanie claims that on the evening of the closing, she and Bill had a big fight that lasted into the early morning of April 29th, and concluded with Bill walking out on her. Melanie’s moves over the next few days would cast doubt on her story though. The prosecution says Melanie was establishing a cover story. Whose version of events is more believable?
For Images related to this episode, visit: https://directappealpodcast.com...
Mark as Played
May 22, 2019 • 49 mins
05: While Melanie tries to plan Bill’s funeral and move on with her life, the Police begin their Investigation. Eventually, Melanie is indicted. Her bail was eventually raised to $2 million dollars. The search for a defense team begins, and after several trial-and-errors with attorneys, Melanie eventually believes she hit the jackpot. As Melanie and her lawyers prepare for Trial, the prosecution makes a shocking announcement.
For I...
Mark as Played
May 29, 2019 • 65 mins
06: The trial against Melanie McGuire begins on March 5, 2007, live on Court TV, and Melanie finds herself in the middle of a media circus. Lead prosecutor, Patricia Prezioso, makes a forceful opening argument but will her first witnesses help her case or hurt it? The prosecution also claims that the firearm Melanie purchased two days before Bill disappeared was the murder weapon but what does our expert have to say?
For Images rel...
Mark as Played
June 5, 2019 • 57 mins
07: The prosecution introduces the sedative, chloral hydrate, found in Bill’s car. To fit their timeline, the Prosecution suggests Melanie kept Bill drugged for days before he was shot, but is there a less sinister explanation?
Also, Melanie’s friends are pressured to betray her. Who will stay loyal?
If you have any information regarding this case, you can submit it by emailing us at tips@directappealpodcast.com or leaving a voicem...
Mark as Played
June 12, 2019 • 60 mins
08: The prosecution says that Melanie drove Bill’s body to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Virginia, where she disposed of his remains but Melanie says she was in Delaware furniture shopping. Does Melanie have an alibi witness to support her claim and if so, why didn’t this witness testify? Also, the prosecution introduces damning Internet searches made on the McGuire’s home computer, but was it Melanie who made these searches or some...
Mark as Played
June 20, 2019 • 48 mins
09: The State’s witness testifies that there is forensic evidence linking Melanie to trash bags found with the body. However the defense gets lucky and happens across their own expert with a different opinion about what the evidence shows.
If you have any information regarding this case, you can submit it by emailing us at tips@directappealpodcast.com or leaving a voicemail at (732) 510-0996. If you have a question to ask Melanie, ...
Mark as Played
June 28, 2019 • 84 mins
10: Now that the State has rested, it’s time for Melanie’s Defense to present their case. Several key witnesses emerge but will Melanie’s lawyers call them to the stand? At least two critical witnesses who testify for Melanie are not permitted to share their whole story but we share what they could not say on the stand. Could this testimony have made a difference?
If you have any information regarding this case, you can submit it b...
Mark as Played
July 10, 2019 • 66 mins
11: Financial documents reveal suspicious transactions in and out of the McGuire’s joint bank account while lab reports reveal untested DNA and hair and police reports raise shocking new accusations. The prosecution alleges that two anonymous letters containing information about Bill’s murder were written by Melanie while Melanie’s camp denies that she wrote these letters. The experts on each side battle it out but who will the jur...
Mark as Played
July 17, 2019 • 38 mins
12: Both sides make their closing arguments, but an act of God gives one side an advantage. Afterwards, Melanie agonizes while the jury deliberates. The verdict is read and Melanie is sentenced, will she be shown any mercy? Also, we discover that Joe may have had personal reasons to rush things along…
If you have any information regarding this case, you can submit it by emailing us at tips@directappealpodcast.com or leaving a voice...
Mark as Played
July 26, 2019 • 43 mins
13: Listen to Melanie’s answers to your questions in part 1 of our question & answer episodes.
If you have a question to ask and didn’t hear it in this episode, you have one more chance! Be sure to submit it to us by 7/31/19 by emailing us at tips@directappealpodcast.com or leaving a voicemail at (732) 510-0996
Credits:
Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks
Recorded, mixed, an...
Mark as Played
August 7, 2019 • 68 mins
14: Melanie is sentenced and transferred to prison. She begins the long process of appeals and holds out hope that her conviction will be overturned. Will the courts grant an appeal or will her life sentence stand?
For images related to this episode: https://directappealpodcast.com/images/#ep14
Credits
Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks
Recorded, mixed, and edited by Justin...
Mark as Played
September 19, 2019 • 38 mins
15: We ask Melanie the your Questions in the second round of Q&A.
Thank you for staying tuned during our mid-season break! We are busy following up on your leads and theories and will be sharing them soon.
If you have a tip, please contact us at tips@directappealpodcast.com
Credits:
Hosted by: Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg
Produced by James Varga
Written by Meghan Sacks
Recorded, mixed, and edited by Justin Kral at JC Studios
...
Mark as Played
October 24, 2019 • 84 mins
16: Direct Appeal is back after a brief hiatus to follow up on listener tips. We return with three interviews from those who knew Melanie best: a friend from her past, a friend from her present and a surprise interview with a key witness for the prosecution.
If you have any information regarding this case, you can still submit it by emailing us at tips@directappealpodcast.com or leaving a voicemail at (732) 510-0996.
Credits:
Host...
Mark as Played
November 8, 2019 • 64 mins
17: This season's final episode of Direct Appeal brings you audience tips and alternate theories. Also, Amy and Meghan will reveal their conclusions.
To help and participate in our research project, please take our short survey which can be found at: http://directappealpodcast.com/survey
If you would like to hear more from Amy and Meghan, check out our new podcast, "Women & Crime". Every two weeks we'll feature a new story which co...
Mark as Played
November 27, 2019 • 39 mins
From the creators of Direct Appeal comes our new project, Women & Crime. Each episode we cover a new female focused true crime case. Enjoy this full length sample episode, and if you like it – Subscribe Now.
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Ep 32: During the 1980s, Cindy James was purportedly the victim of over 100 attacks of physical and mental abuse by an unknown assailant. After a heavy police presence and no assailant ever identified, police gre...
Mark as Played
December 3, 2020 • 27 mins
After more than one year since the last episode of Direct Appeal, we are back to discuss the recent media attention, to answer audience questions, and address potential tips sent in.
We'll update you on what's next in Melanie's legal battle, and what supporters of Melanie say they are doing to help.
We might even sneak in a word about season 2...
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Mark as Played
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