Dark Origins Gabriela Ralph and Rob Reem

Many of the diss tracks that have been released by Kendrick Lamar over the past week contain lines that clearly have dark origins. In this episode we focus on one line from Euphoria that took inspiration from the case of YNW Melly AKA Jamell Demons. We cover the allegations that Jamell shot and killed two of his best friends with the help of another friend named YNW Bortlen AKA Cortlen Henry, and we discuss the first trial that ended in a mistrial. I also detail another murder that Jamell and Cortlen are suspected to be involved in.
Sources:
Cowen, Trace William. “YNW Melly Reportedly Now a Suspect in Deputy’s Shooting Death.” Complex, 22 Feb. 2019, www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/ynw-melly-suspect-deputy-shooting-death. Accessed 6 May 2024.
Elibert, Mark. “Texts from Young Thug, French Montana, and More Brought up during YNW Melly Trial.” Complex, www.complex.com/music/a/markelibert/texts-from-young-thug-french-montana-ynw-melly-trial. Accessed 6 May 2024.
Holsman, Melissa E. “Double Murder Retrial of Famed Gifford Rapper Jamell Demons, Known as YNW Melly, on Hold.” Treasure Coast, 3 May 2024,
www.tcpalm.com/story/news/crime/indian-river-county/2024/05/03/retrial-of-gifford-rapper-jamell-demons-known-as-ynw-melly-pushed-off/73544244007/. Accessed 6 May 2024.
“Murder Trial of Rapper YNW Melly Ends in Mistrial after Jury Deadlocks; Retrial Likely.” AP News, 22 July 2023, apnews.com/article/ynw-melly-murder-trial-florida-70a72f2f6d095e89a43f65eff94536c1. Staff, Michael Saponara,Billboard, et al. “A Timeline of YNW Melly’s Career & Legal Troubles: From “Murder on My Mind” to Murder Charges.” Billboard, 15 July 2022,
www.billboard.com/lists/ynw-melly-career-legal-troubles-timeline/legal-history/.
“YNW Melly Killed Best Friends in Angry, Greed-Fueled Murder Plot, State Says in Closing Argument.” Www.youtube.com, www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OK46bTz_lc. Accessed 6 May 2024.

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Most violence isn’t related to the moon or the sun, but the violence that took place on April 8, 2024 might have been. The 8th was the day of the total solar eclipse and two different women committed murder/attempted murder that may have been connected to the phenomena. Danielle Johnson, an astrology. Influencer, killed her partner before throwing her two daughters out of the car (killing one and injuring the other) , before taking her own life by crashing into a tree at 100 mph. Detectives aren’t sure how much of a role the eclipse played, if any, but they are seriously investigating it since Danielle wrote some conspiratorial eclipse tweets in the days leading up to the 8th. We discuss the timeline of events and what the investigation has revealed so far. We also discuss the random shooting spree carried out by Taylor Celestine after she left a hotel, telling the employees that God was telling her to go on the spree in relation to the eclipse. We discuss all of the details that have been released so far. 
Sources:
“Family Dispute Turns into Double-Murder Suicide NR24117kt/Cm.” LAPD Online, 9 Apr. 24AD, www.lapdonline.org/newsroom/family-dispute-turns-into-double-murder-suicide-nr24117kt-cm/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2024.
Mayes-Osterman, Cybele. “Astrologer Suspected of Double Murder-Suicide on Eclipse Day Thought “Apocalypse Is Here.”” USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024,

www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/04/11/astrologer-murder-suicide-eclipse-danielle-johnson-jaelen-chaney/73287141007/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2024.
Neumann, sean. “Astrology Influencer Disturbed by Eclipse Posted “the APOCALYPSE IS HERE” before Killing Partner, Baby, Herself.” Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024, people.com/astrology-influencer-disturbed-by-eclipse-posted-the-apocalypse-is-here-before-killing-partner-baby-herself-8631523. Accessed 21 Apr. 2024.
Twitter, et al. “Mom Who Pushed Kids from Moving Car Was Astrology Influencer Disturbed by Eclipse.” Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024, www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-04-10/woman-who-threw-child-from-car-on-405-was-controversial-astrology-influencer.
“Woman Claiming God Told Her to Go on Shooting Spree because of Solar Eclipse Shoots Drivers on Florida Interstate, Police Say - CBS News.” Www.cbsnews.com, 9 Apr. 2024, www.cbsnews.com/news/solar-eclipse-shooting-spree-taylon-celestine-shoots-drivers-claims-god-told-her-to/.

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TW: eating disorders, suicide, and child abuse. Everything we say is alleged, with the exception of the individuals found guilty of crimes.
Gwen Shamblin had a Master's Degree in Food and Nutrition, yet she still fell down the pipeline of food and wellness guru to religious cult leader pipeline. Usually this pipeline is reserved for people who don't actually have extensive educations and degrees in the things they claim to be experts of, because it requires them to ignore the science to tout some alternative science/product that usually harms more than it helps. But Gwen was able to throw away everything she learned in favor of a more religious/restrictive approach to eating, which she called The Weigh Down Program. The program was offered alongside a book, that sold over one million copies and the success of both made Gwen a millionaire. Many individuals in her program developed eating disorders and things got even worse when Gwen launched her church, called Remnant Fellowship Church- where Gwen touted herself as something akin to a prophet. The Weigh Down Program was the foundation of Remnant, but the ideology expanded to involve even more problematic rhetoric. Gwen didn't believe in mental illness, so she advised many members to get off their medications (which led some to the psych unit, and others to take their own lives). And she was a big proponent of corporal punishment for children, which caused at least one child to be murdered. We discuss all of the details in this weeks episode.
Sources:
“Georgia v. Smith.” Wikipedia, 12 Feb. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_v._Smith. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
“Gwen Shamblin Lara.” Wikipedia, 2 Oct. 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwen_Shamblin_Lara.
“Joe Lara.” Wikipedia, 28 Jan. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Lara. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Pasquini, maria. “Plane Crash That Killed Christian Diet Guru Gwen Shamblin Caused by “Spatial Disorientation” of Pilot Husband.” Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2023, people.com/human-interest/plane-crash-killed-diet-guru-gwen-shamblin-caused-by-spatial-disorientation-pilot-husband/. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Williams, Phil. ““What Were We Doing?” Gwen Shamblin’s Son Breaks Silence about Life inside Her Brentwood “Cult.”” News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF), 12 Feb. 2024,

www.newschannel5.com/news/newschannel-5-investigates/what-were-we-doing-gwen-shamblins-son-breaks-silence-about-life-inside-her-brentwood-cult. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Williams, phil. ““Take the Damn Filter Off.” Former Remnant Leader Says Church Needs to Admit Role in Child’s Death.” News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF), 19 Feb. 2024,
www.newschannel5.com/news/newschannel-5-investigates/take-the-damn-filter-off-former-remnant-leader-says-church-needs-to-admit-role-in-childs-death.
zenovich, Marina. The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin. HBO, 28 Apr. 2022, play.max.com/show/1e47a6d6-955c-4ce4-92b0-bc170075432a, disc 1-5. TV Show.

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Sheldon Johnson was released from prison last year, after serving 25 years behind bars. Intent on turning his life around, he started working as a youth counselor and advocate for clients of the public defenders office. Successful civil rights attorney, Josh Dubin, befriended Sheldon and was impressed by the changes he was making in his life. Joe Rogan invited Josh and Sheldon onto his podcast on February 1. Unfortunately, a little over a month later Sheldon allegedly murdered an acquaintance named Collin Small. Police were called by suspicious neighbors to do a wellness check on Collin Small and they interrupted Sheldon in the middle of his effort to dismember Collin. His head was found in Sheldon's freezer. Charged with murder, manslaughter, criminal possession of a weapon and concealment of a human corpse. He had plead not guilty and will remain in jail as his case progresses.
Sources:
Dhaliwal, Naveen. “Queens Youth Counselor Sheldon Johnson Charged after Dismembered Body Parts Found in Freezer - CBS New York.” Www.cbsnews.com, 8 Mar. 2024, www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/harlem-man-charged-police-find-missing-bronx-dismembered-body-parts-inside-freezer/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.
Marcius, Chelsia Rose. “Man Who Became Champion of Rehabilitation Is Charged with Murder.” The New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/03/07/nyregion/sheldon-johnson-queens-defenders-murder.html.
Morales, Zoe Sottile, Sabrina Souza, Mark. “Formerly Incarcerated Advocate for NYC Criminal Justice Reform Arrested for Murder.” CNN, 8 Mar. 2024, www.cnn.com/2024/03/08/us/sheldon-johnson-nyc-murder/index.html.
Neysa Alund, Natalie. “Sheldon Johnson, Joe Rogan Podcast Guest, Arrested after Body Parts Found in Freezer.” USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 24AD, www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/03/08/sheldon-johnson-collin-small-body-parts-freezer/72893473007/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.
Rogan, joe. “#2096 - Josh Dubin & Sheldon Johnson.” Open.spotify.com, 1 Feb. 2024, open.spotify.com/episode/3nsOv2Bl6OVvTcjUrJ1GUa. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.
''. “Eerie Images of Suspect in 3 Different Disguises as He ‘Discarded Body Parts.” The US Sun, 8 Mar. 2024, www.the-sun.com/news/10609078/images-sheldon-johnson-blond-wig-disguises-discard-body-murder/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.


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Egypt Covington was a 27 year old woman with so much potential. She lived a life full of love, friendship, and art. Many people knew her since she was a talented singer and a friendly bartender in Ann Arbor, MI. But her life was cut short. She was found in her home with a gunshot wound to the head, and her arms bound with Christmas lights. The local PD struggled to find her killer, yet refused to hand the case over to Michigan State Police (a much larger department with more resources and experience). Egypt's family begged them to transfer her case for years. Three years into the investigation, the family's relentless fight paid off when the case was finally taken over by MSP. In the hands of the State Police, the case quickly took off... and justice finally prevailed.
Sources:
Acosta, Nicole. “2 Men Sentenced in Fatal Shooting of Mich. Singer Whose Hands Were Bound with Christmas Lights.” Peoplemag, 6 Oct. 2023, people.com/egypt-covington-2-men-sentenced-killing-8348858. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024.
Ainsworth, amber. ““They Deserve the Death Penalty”: Egypt Covington’s Family Delivers Powerful Statements during Sentencing.” FOX 2 Detroit, 5 Oct. 2023, www.fox2detroit.com/news/they-deserve-the-death-penalty-egypt-covingtons-family-delivers-powerful-statements-during-sentencing#:~:text=Judge%20Wanda%20Evans%20sentenced%20Groom. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024.
Ann, Lindsay. Can’t Stop Won’t Stop. 25 Aug. 2023, disc 90. podcast.
Clarke, Kayla. “Everything We Know about the Murder of Egypt Covington after 1 of 3 Men Plead Guilty.” WDIV, 11 Apr. 2023, www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2023/04/11/everything-we-know-about-the-murder-of-egypt-covington-after-1-of-3-men-plead-guilty/. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024.
Hutchinson, Koco McAboy, Derick. “27-Year-Old van Buren Township Woman Killed by Gunshot to Head, Morgue Confirms.” WDIV, 27 June 2017, www.clickondetroit.com/news/2017/06/27/27-year-old-van-buren-township-woman-killed-by-gunshot-to-head-morgue-confirms/. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024.
nclark1@mlive.com, Nathan Clark |. “NBC’s Dateline Airing New Episode on Murder of Ann Arbor Singer, Bartender Egypt Covington.” Mlive, 20 Mar. 2024, www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2024/03/nbcs-dateline-airing-new-episode-on-murder-of-ann-arbor-singer-bartender-egypt-covington.html#:~:text=After%20a%20long%20investigation%2C%20it. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024.
Spencer, Dave. “Guilty Plea in Egypt Covington Murder Opens Door for Suspect to Testify against Other Men Charged.” FOX 2 Detroit, 11 Apr. 2023, www.fox2detroit.com/news/guilty-plea-in-egypt-covington-murder-opens-door-for-suspect-to-testify-against-other-men-charged. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024.
“Two Men Sentenced in Slaying of Egypt Covington, Victim’s Dad Wishes Death Penalty Were Option.” The Detroit News, 5 Oct. 23AD, www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2023/10/05/two-men-sentenced-in-2017-slaying-of-egypt-covington/70993271007/. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024.

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Mary Alice Ellicott and Theral Carl Heldt were murdered within a week of one another and their remains found in the country of a small Michigan town. Seemingly unrelated, both murders were investigated but found themselves going cold as time passed. Mary's case was reopened a few years ago, and investigators have partnered with MSU to try to solve it. In this episode, we discuss what little is known about both murders.
Sources:
Kelly, Dane. “Michigan State Police Seek Information in 1981 Homicide of 29-Year-Old Woman.” Https://Www.wilx.com, 7 Apr. 2022,
www.wilx.com/2022/04/07/michigan-state-police-seek-information-1981-homicide-29-year-old-woman/. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.
Longmoore, tran. “COLD CASE: MSU Students, State Police and Retired SPD Officers Investigating 41-Year-Old Murder | School of Criminal Justice | Michigan State University.” Cj.msu.edu, 8 Apr. 2022, cj.msu.edu/news/2022-cold-case-saline-post.html. Accessed 15 Mar. 24.
“Original Headline Articles from Two Homicide Cold Cases in Saline - Still Unsolved | the Sun Times News.” Thesuntimesnews.com, 7 Jan. 2023, thesuntimesnews.com/g/saline-mi/n/138381/original-headline-articles-two-homicide-cold-cases-saline-still-unsolved. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

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