“I Feel Like I’m Dying” – The Death of Marissa Kennedy By Emily Thompson On 25 February, 2018, first responders were alerted to an unresponsive child. When first responders arrived at the scene, the little girl was already deceased. She was identified as 10-year-old Marissa Kennedy. It was evident that she had been the victim of prolonged abuse. Apr 16, 2021 • 5 min read
Freedom Behind Bars – The Ashlee Martinson Case By Emily Thompson Ashlee Martinson was 17-years-old when she killed her mother and her stepfather. Following her arrest, it would be revealed that Ashlee had endured a lifetime of physical, sexual and psychological abuse. Feb 24, 2021 • 5 min read
Morbidology the Podcast – 87: Blackstone House of Horrors By Emily Thompson Blackstone is a town of less than 10,000 near the Rhode Island border in Massachusetts. It’s a quaint suburban area away from the hustle and bustle of city life in Boston, just 50 miles away. On a quiet street just four blocks away from the local police station sat an unassuming Cape Cod-style home. However,… Feb 15, 2021 • 6 min read
The Invisible Boy – Daniel Pelka By Emily Thompson The abuse and murder of four-year-old Daniel Pelka completely horrified the nation of Britain and raised a number of questions as to why teachers at his school, who knew that he was being abused at home, did not intervene. Jan 21, 2021 • 5 min read
The Ultimate Betrayal – Brianna Lopez By Emily Thompson While bringing a new born baby home from hospital is often a jubilant moment filled with love and excitement, this was not the case for Brianna Lopez. As soon as Brianna entered the home, she became the victim to unimaginable abuse. Oct 1, 2020 • 5 min read
Morbidology the Podcast – 64: Ame Deal By Emily Thompson Casual witnesses to abuse do not have a legal obligation to report it. They do, however, have a moral obligation to report it. In July of 2011, a little girl was found dead inside a lockbox, having suffocated from lack of air. The investigation into her death would reveal what Phoenix, Arizona, police would describe… Sep 7, 2020 • 5 min read
Morbidology the Podcast – 57: Emani Moss By Emily Thompson According to the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services statistics, in 2012, the agency reported 152 deaths of children that they had been in contact with. This was an alarming average of almost three children per week. Then the following year, DFCS came under scrutiny once again, when a young girl was found dead… Jul 20, 2020 • 6 min read
Missed Opportunities & The Death of Jeffrey Baldwin By Emily Thompson In 2002, Jeffrey Baldwin, 5, was found dead in his grandparent's home. He weighed the same as a 1-year-old. He had been systematically starved and abused by his grandparents who had gained custody of him after his own parents had abused him. May 20, 2020 • 7 min read
The Tragic Death of Genny Rojas By Emily Thompson Genny Rojas, 3, spent only a short time on earth but during that short time, she endured more than most adults in their lifetime. She was passed around three homes and didn’t learn to properly communicate or use the potty. Sadly, she didn’t get the chance to reach those routine childhood milestones before she slipped… Jan 22, 2020 • 5 min read
The Last Straw – John Caudle By Emily Thompson When John Caudle was just 14-years-old, he shot and killed his mother, Joanna Galla Rinebarger, and his stepfather, Tracy Rinebarger. What would drive a teenager to kill those who should be closest to him? Abuse. John had suffered years of abuse and neglect. One day, he snapped. Jul 27, 2019 • 4 min read
