Megan McDonald: Someone in the Backseat // 592

Megan McDonald: Someone in the Backseat // 592

Author: Dark West Productions March 20, 2026 Duration: 54:10
In March of 2003, a 20-year-old woman, who happened to be the daughter of an NYPD detective, was found brutally beaten to death in Hudson Valley, discarded on a rural dirt path. It was quickly determined that she had been killed in her car, by someone sitting in the backseat behind her. But despite having multiple persons of interest in her case, an arrest wasn’t made for YEARS, and even then - many were on the fence about his involvement. This is the murder of Megan McDonald.

Each week, Going West: True Crime explores the unsettling and often overlooked stories of people who have vanished or been murdered. Hosts Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman, from Dark West Productions, approach these complex cases with a careful and respectful focus on the human stories at their core. Their conversations delve into the haunting details and lingering questions that surround these events, moving beyond mere sensationalism to consider the broader impact on families, communities, and our societal understanding of crime. You'll hear a thoughtful examination of the facts, paired with a genuine curiosity about the circumstances that can lead to such darkness. This podcast sits at a compelling intersection of society, culture, and news, offering narrative depth that stays with you. New episodes are released every Tuesday and Friday, providing a consistent and deeply engaging look into the mysteries that unsettle and fascinate us. Tune in for a sober yet compelling exploration of true crime, where the emphasis is on the story and the search for clarity within some of life's most difficult chapters.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Going West: True Crime
Podcast Episodes
Sheree Magaro: Blood in the Snow // 580 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:31
In February of 1987, a 30-year-old woman left her boyfriend’s home in Maryland during the onset of a severe snowstorm, planning to beat the weather in time to make it back to her Pennsylvania home. But the next morning,…
Sarah Grace Patrick: Teen Accused of Killing Parents // 579 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:56
In February of 2025, in a quiet Georgia neighborhood, a routine night ended in unthinkable violence for one family. When authorities arrived, they discovered two parents dead from gunshot wounds, leaving a family member…
Anthony Urciuoli: Missing After a Mysterious Page // 578 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:23
In January of 2001, a 31-year-old man vanished when he left his family’s New York home after receiving a mysterious page. He told his parents he was heading out to play pool with a friend, but the hours ticked by, and he…
The American Beauty Murder // 577 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:09
In November of 2000, a 26-year-old biotech worker was found dead in his San Diego apartment, laid out on his bed with rose petals scattered around his body and a wedding photograph carefully placed nearby. His death was…
The Vampire of Sacramento // 576 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:18
In the late 1970s, Sacramento residents were terrified by a string of bizarre and gruesome killings committed in quick succession. The assailant seemed to have no clear connection to his victims, but his behavior at the…
Janet Chandler // 575 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:04
In January of 1979, a 22-year-old college senior living in Holland, Michigan, disappeared while working at a local hotel. A day later, she was found on the side of the highway in a snowbank, her body revealing a level of…
The Tepe Murders: Evidence and Signs of Abuse / Part 3 // 574 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:59
Since the murders of Monique and Spencer Tepe, and the arrest of their alleged killer, Michael McKee, an extradition hearing has taken place, and police and family members have released more information that gives a clos…
The Stalking Murder of Kenneth Fandrich // 573 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:42
In January of 2023, years of stalking a Portland man turned into a horrific act of murder. Detectives in Oregon were called to the parking garage of an office building after a man was found dead inside his vehicle. At fi…
Monique and Spencer Tepe / Part 2 (Happening Now) // 572 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:15
Today, an arrest was made for the murders of Monique and Spencer Tepe, who were killed on December 30, 2025, in their Columbus, Ohio home. Join us as we get into the new details that have since been released, as well as…
Monique and Spencer Tepe (Happening Now) // 571 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:32
On December 30, 2025, a 37-year-old Ohio dentist didn’t show up to work, concerning his co-workers. When friends and colleagues checked his family home, alongside police, they sound he and his wife’s bodies inside, both…